II  E>  R.ARY 

OF  THE 
UNIVERSITY 

or  ILLINOIS 


977.3 
B64f 
cop. 2 


111.   Hist. Survey 


FIFTY  YEARS' 


H 

j 


OBSERVATIONS  AND  REFLECTIONS 

ON 

HISTORICAL  EVENTS 


GIVIN<;  SKETCHES  OF 


EMINENT  CITIZENS —THEIR  LIVES  AND  PUBLIC  SERVICES. 


BY  JERIAH  BONHAM, 

FORMKKLY  EDITOR  ANb  PUBLISHER  OF  THE  "ILLINOIS  GAZETTE, 
"  FAKMKHS'  ADATOCATE,"  AND  "  RURAL  MK-SSENGKR." 


PEORIA,  ILLINOIS. 

J.  W.  FRANKS  <fe  SONS,  PRINTERS   AND  PUBLISHERS. 
1883. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  18s:5,  by 

JERIAH  BON  HAM, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress  at  Washington. 


,  S  'MA/ 


PBEFACE. 


Prefaces  are  generally  written  as  the  authors'  apologies 
for  writing  a  book.  We  do  not  write  ours  for  any  such 
purpose,  but  to  give  reasons  why  we  are  writing  a  second 
volume. 

We  have  written  a  book  of  over  five  hundred  pages, 
every  chapter,  and  every  paragraph  in  the  chapter,  truth- 
fully historical,  with  a  fullness  of  dates  that  in  the  outset 
we  did  not  expect  to  obtain ;  in  fact,  we  are  agreeably 
surprised  at  our  good  fortune  in  being  able  to  remember 
dates  so  well,  or  to  find  so  many  people  who  could  refresh 
our  recollections  of  the  past :  to  whom  we  shall  ever  feel 
thankful. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  matter  for  this  work  we  have 
been  our  own  most  severe  critic;  have  used  no  superfluity 
of  language  in  order  to  make  high  rounding  sentences  or 
glowing  periods.  The  matter  is  submitted  for  the  careful 
perusal  of  the  historical  student,  and  those  also  who  "  know 
it  all77  and  can  give  an  intelligent  judgment  on  the  merits 
of  the  work.  To  the  earnest  and  patient  seeker  an.d  toiler 
up  the  rugged  path  that  leads  to  tbe  heights  of  knowledge, 
much  encouragement  is  extended  to  give  this  work  a  peru- 
sal, for  the  record  we  give  of  men  and  women  who  have 
made  life  a  grand  success  by  persistent  effort  in  overcoming 
obstacles.  We  have  yet  to  continue  this  record  in  the 


PREFACE. 


second  volume,  and  to  add  much  historical  matter  that  the 
limits  of  this  volume  prevent  our  giving  now. 

The  next  volume  will  contain  much  of  eventful  history 
that  the  details  of,  as  yet,  are  only  partially  collected,  and 
we  need  to  go  over  the  ground  again  to  make  them  more 
perfect.  Some  of  the  most  thrilling  events  of  our  fifty 
years'  residence  in  the  state  are  yet  to  assume  shape  and 
form,  by  our  again  visiting  the  localities  and  scenes  of  their 
enactment,  conferring  with  surviving  actors,  getting  the  aid 
of  their  recollections  to  add  to  our  own  to  make  them  com- 
plete. We  intended,  in  this  volume,  to  give  a  full  history 
in  detail  of  the  operations  and  final  banishment  from  the 
state  of  the  combination  of  horse  thieves,  robbers,  mur- 
derers, counterfeiters  and  those  who  committed  other  crimes, 
supposing  we  could  obtain  the  data,  dates,  names,  etc., 
that  we  wished  by  writing  to  participants  in  the  events  with 
ourselves.  In  almost  every  case  that  we  have  written  the 
reply  is,  "come  and  see  us  then  we  can  tell  you,  but  must 
have  your  aid  to  help  us  remember."  The  events  we  refer 
to  are  the  driving  out  the  Rock  River  gang  in  1841,  and 
the  expulsion  and  banishment  of  the  Reeves  family  from 
Marshall  county  in  1843. 

We  have  much  of  this  history  indelibly  fixed  on  our 
mind,  but  from  length  of  time  the  little  details,  dates,  names 
of  participants,  all  the  names  of  the  most  noted  outlaws, 
can  only  be  revived  again  by  visiting  the  scenes  on  which 
these  great  events  happened. 

Then  there  is  an  army  of  the  old  pioneers,  some  yet  liv- 
ing, but  most  of  them  passed  to  the  beyond,  with  the  ma- 
jorify,  that  the  author  has  perfect  recollections  of  in  all  parts 
of  the  state.  There  are  the  pioneer  preachers,  Cartwright, 
Solomon  and  Jacob  Knapp,  Zadok  Hall,  Henry  D.  Palmer, 


PREFACE. 


John  Brown,  David  Blackwell,  Thomas  Powell,  Fathers 
Cummings,  Silliman,  Root  and  Chenoweth,  their  names, 
such  a  host,  precludes  a  mention  here,  all  in  their  and  our 
day  that  we  have  enjoyed  their  acquaintance.  Then  the 
pioneers  that  these  "  fifty  years  "  have  brought  us  together 
with.  There  are  the  four  Strawns,  Jabez  Capps,  the 
Hodgsons,  of  Tazewell  county,  that  sterling  old  patriot 
Isaac  Funk,  of  McLean,  that  we  tried  to  find  room  for  in 
this  volume,  and  then  the  long  line  of  representative  men 
that  deserve  recognition  on  the  historic  page — such  an  array 
as  Owen  Lovejoy,  the  Bryants,  Wm.  H.  Henderson,  John 
Hamlin,  Charles  Ballance,  Sr.,  ALL,  all  we  have  known,  and 
that  sterling  oloV  pioneer  educator,  B.  G.  Roots,  of  Perry 
county,  can  bring  out  points  that  other  historians  have  not 
yet  given.  The  advantage  the  next  volume  will  have  over 
the  present  will  be,  the  author  will  have  more  time  to 
devote  to  its  preparation.  It  will  be  a  more  finished  pro- 
duction than  the  present  volume. 

Some  readers  will  note  the  absence  of  some  of  the  great 
oames  'of  the  state  from  the  present  volume,  and  ask  why 
is  it?  Where  are  they?  Such  names  as  Grant,  Logan, 
and  hosts  of  others,  names  that  are  household  words.  Such 
inquiries  can  be  answered  by  calling  attention  to  the  title 
of  our  book,  then  bearing  in  mind  that  we  are  only  giving 
our  own  recollections  and  others  that  we  have  been  in  im- 
mediate connection  with  in.  the  last  fifty  years ;  that  while 
we  have  enjoyed  a  casual  acquaintance  with  most  of  these 
great  men,  all  that  we  could  note  has  found  its  way  into 
history,  and  not  necessary  for  us  to  repeat.  The  author, 
supposed  to  know  the  truth  of  what  he  relates  from  personal 
knowledge,  and  from  those  who  directly  communicated 
with  him,  known  to  be  reliable,  must  ask  for  a  liberal 


8  PREFACE. 


allowance  of  charity  in  criticism.  Remember,  ye  critics,, 
that  the  work  of  collecting  this  widely  different  and  varied 
class  of  matter  was  only  entered  upon  in  October  last, 
the  first  three  months  spent  in  visiting  different  parts  of  the 
state  to  enlist  the  aid  of  others  with  whom  we  had  been 
acquainted,  to  get  data  and  dates,  and  the  past  three 
months  spent  in  laboriously  arranging  the  matter  for  the 
press,  in  which  we  have  spent  from  sixteen  to  eighteen 
of  out  every  twenty-four  hours.  The  work  has  been, 
greatly  enlarged  from  the  first  plan,  which  was  for  a  book 
of  four  hundred  pages,  but  which  has  grown  on  our  hands 
to  almost  five  hundred  and  forty  pages  reading  matter, 
which,  with  the  illustrations,  make  it  about  five  hundred 
and  seventy. 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS. 


GUBERNATORIAL  RECOLLECTIONS. 


1.  Shadrach  Bond, IT 

2.  Edward   Coles, 21 

3.  Ninian  Edwards, .  27 

4.  John  Reynolds,  The  "  Old  Ranger  "  33 

5.  Joseph  Duncan, 40 

6.  Thomas  Carlin, 49 

7.  Thomas  Ford, 59 

8.  Augustus  C.  French,          ....                 .  66 
Joel  A.  Matteson, .        .        .76 

10.  William  H.  Bissell, .  82 

11.  John  Wood, 96 

12.  Richard  Yates,             100 

13.  Richard  J.  Oglesby, .        .113 

14.  John  M.  Palmer, 121 

15.  John  L.  Beveridge, 134 

16.  Shelby  M.  Cirilom, 146 

17.  John  M.  Hamilton, 152 


Abraham  Lincoln, 158 

Stephen  A.  Douglas,  .        .        .    ...  .        .        .        .        .        18fr 


10  TABLE    OF    CONTENTS. 


DISTINGUISHED  WOMEN. 

Mrs.  Frances  A.  Wood  Shimer,         .       .       .       .  .        .  '  201 

Mrs.  Hannah  M.  C.  T.  Cutler,       .       .       -,.       .      '•-.        .    . ... .  222 

Mrs.  Belva  A.  Lockw.ood,          .  .       .       .  .       .  248 

Miss  Mary  A.  West,       .       .       .       ..      ...       J        .  262 

Mrs.  Katherine  Jauies  Dougherty          .       .       .  .       .  327 


REPRESENTATIVE  MEN. 

Dr.  Robert  Boal,  .       .       .       .       .        .       .  .                       268 

Hon.  Alson  J.  Streeter,          .....  281 

Hon.  Edward  A.  Oilier,      .       .       ,       .       ."  .       .               291 

Hon.  Cornwall  Kirkpatrick,         .      '.      ...        .  .        .            302 

Hon.  Lorenzo  D.  Whiting,         .       .       .        .  307 

Hon.  Samuel  L.  Richmond,           ....  311 

Hon.  Augustus  Adams,      .....  315 

Hon.  George  E.  Merchant,     .       ...       ..  320 

Hon.  John  Dougherty,       .       .       .        .       .  323 

Gen.  William  H.  Powell,       .       .       .  330 

Hon.  Harry  D.  Cook,           .       .       .       .  335 

Hon.  George  C.  Bestor, 

600 

Hon.  Joseph  J.  Cassell,       .       ....       t  344 

Hon.  Levi  North,           .       .       ,       .  347 

George  W.  Brown,       .......  354 

John  Carroll  Power,       .... 

Hon.  David  McCulloch, 
Hon.  George  E.  Warren, 
Col.  John  Bryner, 
Hon.  Orson  Bingham  Galusha, 

O  I  O 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS.  11 

Gen.  John  C.  Smith, 383 

Moses    Pettengill,  .        .        .        .        .        .        .        .        .386 

Isaac  Snedeker,           393 

Hon.  Greenberry  L.  Fort 400 

€aptain  William  H.  Mann, 412 

Hon.  James  McCartney, 418 

Prof.  H.  A.  Weber, 420 

Prof.  M.  A.  Scoville, 421 

Hon.  George  H.  Harlow,           .        .        .        .        .        .        .  438 

Hon.  John  Page, .       .       .  441 

Captain  Eric  Johnson,        .       . 446 

Captain  John  D.  Hatfield,      .                      449 

Hon.  El  bert  Easterly, 453 

Hon.  Joseph  Gillespie,           456 


THE  PRESS. 


Hon.  Sterling  P.  Rounds, 463 

Hon.  Enoch  Emery,           471 

Mark  M.  Aiken, 478 

Hon.  Andrew  Shuman 481 

Hon.  Welker  Given, 484 

Hon.  Paul  Selby, 496 

Charles  M.  Eames, 501 

Enoch  P.  Sloan,           503 

George  Burt,  Jr.,      , .        .506 

Henry  A.  Ford,           507 

Cadet  Taylor, 531 

•Capt.  Joseph  E.  Osborn, 533 

Mrs.  Lucinda  Harrison, ,  535 


12  TABLE   OF   CONTESTS. 

PIONEERS. 

Hon.  Robert  T.  Cassell,     '   .       .        .       .        .       .        .     ...  488 

Hon.  Alson  S.  Sherman,     .       .       .       .      , .  .     .       .        .  490 

Dr.  Henry  Shinier,  A.M.,  M.  D.,    .       .       .       ......  493 

Williamson  Durley,    .       .       .       .       .        .       ...  509 

Nehemiah  West,     .       .       .       .       .       .       ....       .  521 

Rev.  John  M.  Faris,    .....  525 


MISCELLANEOUS. 

Election  of  1858,      .       .......       .  527 

One  of  Illinois' Great  Industries,    .       ,\      .  ..-                     420- 

Sorghum  Sugar  Industry,      .......  ,421 

Railroad  Legislation,         .       ;,~      -.       .       .  .                       459 

Bishop  Hill  Colony,       .       .       ...  514 


INTRODUCTORY. 


To  the  Reading  Public : — It  is  now  rounding  into  the 
last  days  of  the  half  century  since,  as  an  active  lad  of  six- 
teen, full  of  the  usual  hopes  of  youth,  I  came  to  this  portion 
of  Illinois,  as  one  of  the  members  of  a  rather  numerous 
family,  in  which  the  boys,  at  that  time,  counted  the  most 
by  a  large  majority. 

I  was  lithe,  active  and  happy,  disposed  to  look  on  the 
bright  side  of  everything,  as  I  do  in  commencing  to  write 
this  book,  for  dear  friend  and  reader,  I  write  this  book  with 
brightest  anticipations,  and  hope  that  sales  will  reach  into 
the  thousands,  and  that  .through  its  reading  I  can  again 
renew  acquaintances  all  over  the  country  with  the  many 
readers  that  in  former  years  I  had  through  the  columns  of 
the  Illinois  Gazette,  Farmer's  Advocate  and  Rural  Messen- 
ger, been  instrumental  in  furnishing  an  infinite  variety  of 
literature,  political,  agriculture,  horticultural,  pomological, 
and  on  almost  all  other  general  subjects. 

Then,  Hope  -7-  that  anchor  to  man's  bright  anticipations 
—  leads  the  author  to  believe  that  the  reading  of  his  "Fifty 
Years'  Recollections"  will  make  for  him  many  new  friends 
and  acquaintances.  Why  shouldn't  it?  Let  the  reader 
take  in  the  scope  of  this  half  century  in  his  mind's  eye, 
look  at  the  title  of  the  book,  then  with  an  active  imagina- 
tion, travel  with  the  author  over  these  busy  fifty  years,  and 


14  INTRODUCTORY. 


realize  what  could  be  seen  and   noted  in  that  time  of  the 
men  that  have  lived  and  events  that  have  happened. 

The  object  of  the  author  is  to  illustrate  personal  char- 
acter, and  throw  light  on  specially  interesting  phases  of  the 
career,  either  public  or  private,  of  the  persons  he  writes 
about;  to  condense,  in  briefest  space,  much  of  the  history 
of  individuals  whose  acquaintance  the  author  has  enjoyed 
during  that  time. 

It  is  evident  that  a  work  of  this  kind  can  be  made  one 
of  the  educating  influences,  both  to  old  and  young  —  pleas- 
ant, instructive,  and  inspiring  to  all  —  and  the  perusal  of 
these  "  Recollections "  be  as  much  of  a  pleasure  to  the 
reader  as  the  writing  of  them  has  been  to  the  author? 
Mutual  pleasure,  profit,  and  acquaintance  has  been  the  pre- 
vailing motive  in  the  preparation  of  the  volume.  The  book 
is  in  no  sense  a  biography  of  the  persons  noticed,  but  recol- 
lections as  now  remembered.  These  have  been  written 
without  personal  bias  or  partiality.  In  short,  it  is  giving 
truthful  history  of  the  occurrences  related,  and  the  work 
can  be  preserved  as  a  reference  to  the  times  noted  and  the 
individuals  mentioned. 

Fifty  years  in  our  Country's  and  State's  history  !  What 
eventful  years,  too.  No  fifty  years  in  the  world's  history 
can  show  such  progress. 

Birth,  childhood,  mature  age — a  useful  life  —  has  come 
and  gone  to  many  during  the  cycles  of  these  years.  The 
glorious  memories  of  the  godly  and  patriotic  men  and  de- 
voted women  who  have  worked  out  the  grand  destinies  of 
our  State  and  Nation  should  be  perpetuated.  What  have 
they  done  for  us  in  establishing  free  schools,  free  gospel, 
and  a  free  press?  Along  with,  but  dependent  on  these, 
have  been  introduced  all  the  other  educating  influences. 


INTRODUCTORY.  15 


They  have  given  us  rich  legacies  to  live  for,  vote  for,  and 
fight  for.  They  have  developed  a  Lincoln,  a  Douglas,  a 
Garfield,  and  a  host  of  other  compeers  to  live  and  'die  for 
their  country.  These  portionless  sons  became  the  chief  in- 
tellectual pillars  in  the  temple  of  our  liberties. 

In  these  years  interminable  forests  have  fallen  before 
the  axe  of  the  woodman ;  the  broad  expanse  of  prairie  is 
upturned  by  the  plow,  and  the  fields  appear  in  cultivated 
beauty ;  and  where  not  one  mile  of  railroad  was  built  fifty 
years  ago  now  there  are  more  miles  operated  than  in  any 
other  state  in  the  Union. 

In  all  these  years  the  author  has  been  a  humble  but  busy 
actor,  doing  quiet,  but  he  hopes  effective  work,  in  advanc- 
ing the  great  interests  of  the  State  in  all  these  fields  of 
labor.  He  has  been  farmer,  merchant,  journalist,  and  now 
I  am  doing  what  Job  so  earnestly  prayed  that  his  enemy 
would  do,  "  writing  a  book,"  hoping  the  public  will  give  it 
a  careful  reading  and  impartial  criticism. 

JERIAH  BONHAM. 


GUBEKNATOEIAL  RECOLLECTIONS. 


SHADRACH  BOND. 


FIRST   GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 


Preliminaries  for  admission  as  a  state — Nathaniel  Pope  —  What 
he  did  for  Illinois  —  Proceedings  in  committee  —  The  twenty- 
seventh  of  February,  1818  — Committee's  favorable  report  — 
Bill  passed  eighteenth  of  April,  1818 — Shadrach  Bond  —  His 
popularity— Elected  without  opposition— Hon.  H.  S.  Baker 
tells  about  Bond  —  Formerly  delegate  in  Congress  —  Register 
Land  Office— Dies  April  11, 1830. 

April  18th,  1818,  was  the  auroral  day  that  broke  on 
Illinois,  opening  up,  in  the  near  prospective,  the  opportu- 
nity inviting  her  to  the  dignity  of  statehood  with  the  other 
states  of  the  American  Union.  The  preliminarie  for  an 
enabling  act  were  concluded  in  January  previous  by  the 
territorial  legislature,  in  session  at  Kaskaskia,  preparing 
and  forwarding  to  Hon.  Nathaniel  Pope,  the  territorial  del- 
egate in  Congress,  their  petition,  praying  for  the  admission 
of  Illinois  into  the  Union  on  an  equal  footing  with  the 
original  states.  Congress  most  graciously,  through  their 
committee  on  territories,  reported  a  bill  .for  the  admission 
of  the  state  with  a  population  of  forty  thousand.  Delegate 
Pope  was  very  vigilant  in  watching  the  progress  of  the  bill 
at  its  various  stages.  One  of  his  watchful  foresights  gave 

2 


FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 


this  state  the  present  site  of  Chicago,  which,  but  for  him, 
would  have  been  left  in  the  territory  of  Wisconsin.  The 
original  design,  u  north  of  an  east  and  west  line  drawn 
through  the  southerly  bend  of  Lake  Michigan,"  would  cut 
this  state  off  from  fourteen  of  her  present  rich  counties  and 
from  the  then  rich  lead  mines  of  Galena.  But  to  his  vigi- 
lance the  line  between  the  embryo  state,  just  knocking  for 
admission,  was  made  forty  degrees,  thirty  minutes,  or  fifty 
miles  farther  north.  This  gave  us  the  terminus  —  Chicago 
—  of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  Canal  which  came  with 
that  extension,  s*nd  other  untold  blessings  that  we  have  en- 
joyed as  a  state  that  we  would  have  been  deprived  of  had 
the  line  been  made  as  originally  intended.  By  this  change 
of  lines  Illinois  acquired  a  lake  coast,  giving  an  outlet  to 
the  east  and  north  and  the  site  for  the  second  city  in  the 
Union. 

We  have  not  the  exact  date  when  these  weighty  pro- 
visions and  amendments  were  discussed  in  committee,  to 
which  Mr.  Pope  was  admitted  by  courtesy  as  well  as  right, 
but  there  is  a  tradition  that  the  favorable  action,  or  agree- 
ment to  incorporate  all  his  propositions  into  the  bill,  was 
reached  February  27th  of  that  year,  but  the  formality  of 
reaching  a  final  vote,  by  a  report  of  the  bill  from  committee 
on  territories,  its  first,  second,  and  third  readings  in  the 
House  and  Senate,  was  not  reached  until  April  18,  1818, 
as  noted  in  the  opening  of  this  chapter.  But  really  the 
work  in  committee  is  the  effective  work  in  legislation,  and 
Illinois  can  positively  date  its  birth  as  a  state  from  the  day 
the  proposition  received  favorable  action  and  recommenda- 
tion from  the  committee  on  territories.  The  constitutional 
convention  to  formulate  that  great  instrument,  in  pursuance 
of  the  enabling  act,  was  called  to  meet  at  Kaskaskia  in 


SHADRACH    BOND.  19 


July,  and  completed  its  labors,  by  its  members  signing  the 
constitution,  August  26,  1818,  just  six  months,  lacking  a 
day,  from  the  time  the  bill  was  favorably  reported  from  the 
committee. 

The  first  election  for  governor,  lieutenant-governor,  and 
members  of  the  General  Assembly,  under  the  constitution, 
was  held  the  third  Thursday  and  the  two  succeeding  days 
of  September,  1818.  Shadrach  Bond,  of  Randolph  county, 
was  elected  governor,  and  Pierre  Menard,  lieutenant  gov- 
ernor, neither  of  them  having  any  opposition.  Their  term 
of  service  was  for  four  years. 

Shadrach  Bond,  on  whom  the  distinguished  honor  of 
being  elected  the  first  governor  of  Illinois  was  conferred, 
was  born  in  Frederick  county,  Maryland,  in  1773;  was 
raised  a  farmer,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1794.  He  was  a 
jolly,  benevolent  kind  of  a  man,  rollicking,  and  at  times 
very  convivial.  In  youth  he  had  received  but  a  plain 
English  education ;  this  had  been  nourished  by  home  cul- 
ture, until  he  became  a  man  noted  for  his  correct  and 
shrewd  observation,  giving  him  a  clear  appreciation  of 
events.  In  person  he  was  commanding,  of  erect  bearing, 
standing  six  feet  in  height.  His  complexion  was  dark, 
clear  hazel  eyes,  the  outline  of  his  features  angular,  with 
jet  black  hair.  He  was  a  courtly  man,  as  described  to  us 
by  Hon.  H.  S.  Baker,  of  Alton,  who,  when  a  boy,  went 
with  his  father  on  a  visit  to  the  governor.  He  said  the 
governor  took  the  occasion  to  give  him  some  lessons  on 
etiquette  that  he  always  remembered.  Reynolds,  in  his 
"Life  and  Times,"  says  that  Gov.  Bond  was  a  great  favo- 
rite with  the  ladies,  which  we  well  may  suppose  of  a  man 
of  his  jovial  disposition  and  courtly  manners  His  thorough 
honesty,  unostentatious  bearing,  his  ministrations  of  benev- 


20  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

olence  made  him  the  most  popular  man  in  the  state,  and  it 
need  not  be  wondered  at  that  his  candidacy  was  a  "  regular 
walk-away,"  no  other  man  having  the  temerity  to  oppose 
him.  He  was  a  "man  of  state  affairs;"  had  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  territorial  legislature  and  a  delegate  to  Congress 
from  the  Indiana  Territory  in  1812,  when  the  two  were 
one.  It  was  he  that  procured  the  right  of  pre-emption  to 
the  public  lands.  In  1814  he  was  appointed  by  President 
Madison  receiver  of  public  lands  at  Kaskaskia.  He  was  a 
great  favorite  at  Washington,  particularly  at  the  presiden- 
tial mansion,  where  the  courtly  Mrs.  Madison  presided. 

After  serving  his  term,  his  friends  urged  him  to  make 
the  race  for  Congress,  which  he  did ;  but  he  was  getting 
old,  "  and  full  of  years  and  honors."  He  did  not  make  an 
active  canvass,  and  Daniel  P.  Cook  was  popular  with  the 
people,  and  the  governor  .retired  to  private  life.  He  was 
appointed,  in  1825,  register  of  land  office  at  Kaskaskia,  by 
President  Adams,  and  held  the  office  until  he  died,  April 
11,  1830,  aged  fifty-seven  years.  In  Jiis  honor  the  county 
of  Bond  was  named  as  a  tribute  to  his  memory. 


EDWARD  COLES. 


SECOND    GOVERNOR  OF   ILLINOIS. 


Exciting  contest  on  slavery  ^Four-cornered  contest  —  Good  re- 
sults from  a  divided  house  —  Coles  elected  —  Nativity,  birth, 
and  education  —  His  public  services — Sent  on  a  Eussian 
mission — Tour  of  Europe — Returns  home — Comes  to  Illinois 
— Emancipates  his  slaves  —  He  is  persecuted  for  righteous- 
ness sake  —  Unscrupulous  measures  of  slavery  —  Bitter 
wrangling  and  excitement  among  the  people  —  Gov.  Coles 
gives  his  entire  salary  to  the  cause  —  "  Friends  of  Freedom" 
—  Election  day  —  Long  distances  traveled  to  cast  a  vote  — 
William  Blanchard  —  Victory  for  the  Right— "All's  well 
that  ends  well"  —  Gov.  Coles'  term  expires  —  Removes  to 
Philadelphia —  Gets  married  —  Age  and  death. 

There  was  a  state  of  anarchy  in  the  new  state  in  the 
canvass  of  1822.  The  question  of  slavery  has  always  made 
trouble  to  the  state  and  to  the  citizen.  Raising  its  hydra- 
head  means  discord,  confusion  and  distraction.  The  elec- 
tion for  governor  that  year  was  four-cornered ;  four  candi- 
dates contesting  for  the  honor,  for  as  yet  there  was-  not 
much  national  politics  entering  into  any  of  the  contests. 
Monroe  had  been  re-elected  president  in  1820  by  almost 
general  consent,  and  history  informs  us  that  personal  rival- 
ries had  quite  as  much  to  do  in  deciding  who  would  be 
governor,  or  any  other  officer,  as  the  principles  advocated, 
But  before  the  gubernatorial  and  legislative  contest  of  1822, 
there  was  a  state  question  that  would  not  down.  The  year 


22    ' 

before  Missouri  had  been  admitted  with  slavery  after  a 
fierce  contest:  a  compromise  plaster  being  applied,  the 
then  potent  Clay  of  Kentucky  applied  it,  and  it  brought 
healing  in  its  application  to  Missouri,  but  the  contest  was 
transferred  to  Illinois,  where  two-thirds  of  the  people  were 
from  the  Southern  States,  and  a  large  portion  of  these 
believed  that  the  proper  condition  in  life  of  a  colored  man 
was  servitude. 

Of  the  four  men  who  were  candidates  for  governor, 
Coles  and  Moore  were  known  to  be  anti-slaveryites  and 
Phillips  and  Brown  to  favor  it.  When  the  election  returns 
were  received,  Coles  had  2,810,  Moore  522,  Phillips  2,760, 
and  Brown  2,543.  Coles  was  elected  by  small  plurality, 
which  probably  saved  the  state  to  freedom,  for  in  that 
year  if  the  line  had  been  strictly  drawn,  a  pro-slavery 
man  on  one  side,  and  anti-slavery  on  the  other,  slavery 
would  have  prevailed.  But,  before  the  next  year,  when  it 
was  submitted,  a  largely  increased  immigration  came  to 
the  central  and  northern  counties,  and  the  anti-slavery 
vote  was  increased.  This,  with  the  executive  influence  in 
its  favor,  turned  the  tide  in  favor  of  leaving  the  constitu- 
tion as  it  was,  and  the  governor's  position  was  sustained. 

Edward  Coles,  the  new  governor,  was  born  in  Virginia, 
December  15,  1786,  and  the  youngest  of  ten  children.  He 
was  impressed  with  the  injustice  and  iniquity  of  slavery  in 
early  life,  while  attending  college.  His  father  was  a  plan- 
ter owning  many  slaves.  Young  Coles  formed  a  resolution 
that  when  his  apportionment  of  his  father's  estate  was  allotted 
the  slave  part  of  it  he  would  emancipate.  Upon  the  death 
of  his  father  his  share  of  land  was  one  thousand  acres  and 
twenty-five  slaves.  He  was  the  private  secretary  of  Presi- 
dent Madison,  a  courtly,  refined  young  man,  of  brilliant 


EDWARD    COLES.  23 


conversational  powers.  His  talents  were  employed  diplo- 
matically, and  he  was  sent  on  a  special  mission  to  Russia 
with  private  dispatches.  While  on  this  mission  he  made 
the  tour  of  Europe,  greatly  increasing  his  fund  of  informa- 
tion. After  his  arrival  home  he  concluded  to  come  to 
Illinois,  and  came  out  on  a  prospecting  tour,  and  was  at 
Kaskaskia  when  the  convention  was  in  session  that  formed 
the  first  state  constitution.  In  the  following  spring,  having 
returned  to  Maryland,  he  arranged  to  move  his  slaves  to- 
Illinois,  and  on  the  way  told  them  that  they  were  free.  He 
gave  to  each  head  of  a  family  one  hundred  acres  of  land 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Edwardsville,  aided  them  with 
some  money,  and  exercised  special  care  for  their  welfare. 
That  was  his  record,  and  the  partisans  who  favored  slavery, 
beaten  by  a  division  in  their  »wn  ranks,  had  a  majority  in 
both  branches  of  the  legislature.  They  "  made  it  hot"  for 
the  governor,  but  he  was  firm,  and  directed  attention  to  the 
subject  of  slavery  in  clear  and  forcible  language.  This  was 
enough  to  fan  into  a  flame  the  repressed  elements  of  the 
last  year,  and  an  effort  to  introduce  slavery  by  amending 
the  constitution  was  resolved  upon.  It  required  a  two- 
thirds  vote  in  both  houses  to  pass  the  proposition  submit- 
ting it  to  the  people. 

By  force  and  intimidation,  and  the  unseating  of  a  mem- 
ber, the  slaveryites  secured  the  required  two-thirds,  and  its 
passage  was  regarded  as  securing  its  triumph  at  the  polls. 
They  were  so  elated  that  they  insulted  the  governor  by 
marching  a  drunken  mob  to  his  residence  with  discordant 
music,  bells,  horns,  and  unearthly  yells  of  an  ignorant 
crowd.  These  demonstrations  were  kept  up  during  the 
canvass  to  such  an  extent  that  they  reacted  against  the 
slavery  movement.  The  very  violence  of  the  movement 


24  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

disgusted  the  better  element  who  were  in  favor  of  slavery, 
and  from  this  the  anti-slavery  element  took  courage.  Never 
was  such  a  contest  waged  in  the  state  before.  Davison  and 
Stuve's  History  says :  "  The  young  and  the  old,  without 
regard  to  sex,  entered  the  arena  of  party  strife;  families  and 
neighborhoods  became  divided  and  surrendered  themselves 
up  to  bitter  warfare.  Detraction  and  personal  abuse  reigned 
supreme,  while  combats  were  not  infrequent.  The  whole 
country  seemed  to  be  on  the  verge  of  a  resort  to  physical 
force  to  settle  the  angry  question." 

The  press  teemed  with  angry  incendiary  articles,  breath- 
ing out  direct  vengeance  on  the  anti-slavery  advocates. 
New  papers  were  established.  Our  long-time  old  friend 
and  neighbor  of  after  years,  Hooper  Warren,  was  then  in 
the  heat  of  the  fight,  editing  the  "  Spectator"  at  Edwards- 
ville,  and  some  papers  at  Shawneetown  and  Vandalia  were 
conducted  in  opposition  to  the  convention  scheme.  The 
governor,  by  this  time  fairly  aroused,  gave  his  entire  salary 
for  his  term,  four  thousand  dollars,  to  aid  the  cause  of  anti- 
slavery.  The  ablest  talent  in  the  new  state  was  arrayed 
either  on  one  side  or  the  other.  Through  efforts  of  Rev. 
J.  M.  Peck,  anti-slavery  societies  were  formed,  and  organ- 
izations to  get  out  the  anti-slavery  vote  in  all  parts  of  the 
state.  They  were  called  "  Friends  of  Freedom,"  and  they 
were  active  in  the  cause.  The  ministers  were  active  in 
the  cause,  and  they  met  together  from  long  distances  to  de- 
vise ways  to  arrest  the  impending  evil.  All  the  means 
known  to  civilization  to  impart  ideas  of  the  enormity  of 
slavery  were  made  available.  Meetings  were  called,  the 
rank  and  file  of  the  people,  excited  to  the  highest  pitch, 
wrangled  and  argued  with  each  other  wherever  they  met,— 
the  excitement  was  so  great  that  industry  was  at  a  stand. 


EDWARD    COLES.  25 


"  When  the  day  of  election  came,  the  utmost  exertions 
at  the  polls  throughout  the  state  were  used  by  both  sides  to 
bring  out  a  full  vote.  The  aged,  the  crippled,  the  chronic- 
Invalids,  all  that  could  be  conveyed,  with  their  bodily  in- 
firmities, were  brought  and  cast  their  votes  either  for  or 
against  the  call.  People  sacrificed  weeks  of  time,  traversed 
hundreds  of  miles  across  boundless  prairies,  for  the  sacred 
right  to  cast  their  votes  for  freedom.  The  old  pioneer, 
William  Blanchard,  now  nearly  ninety  years  old,  then  liv- 
ing on  Farm  Creek,  two  miles  east  of  Peoria,  went,  with 
several  of  his  neighbors,  all  the  way  to  Springfield,  near 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  to  cast  their  votes  against  the 
calling  of  a  convention,  to  vote  for  keeping  slavery  out." 
Noble  old  man,  the  only  one  now  living  of  the  noble  band. 
He  still  resides  on  his  farm  near  Fon  Du  Lac,  Tazewell 
county. 

Election  over,  it  was  at  least  a  month  .before  the  result 
was  fully  known,  but  good  news  came  at  last,  Illinois  was 
saved  from  the  curse  of  slavery,  the  good  Governor  Coles 
and  his  noble  co-workers  were  triumphant ;  —  Illinois  was 
a  free  state. 

Many  of  our  present  well  informed  citizens  are  not  stu- 
dents of  history,  or  have  not  sufficiently  studied  the  history 
of  their  state  to  be  aware  that  such  a  fierce  contest  for  free- 
dom was  ever  waged  in  Illinois.  Slavery  was  defeated  by 
some  one  thousand  seven  hundred  majority,.  The  aggregate 
vote  was  eleven  thousand  six  hundred  and  twelve;  of  this, 
four  thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventy-two  was  for  a  con- 
vention, or  slavery,  and  six  thousand  six  hundred  and  forty 
against,  making  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty-eight 
majority  for  freedom.  And  thus  ended  the  most  important, 
•exciting  and  angry  election  that  took  place  at  that  early  day 


26 

in  Illinois.  All  feeling  of  animosity  soon  subsided,  and  it- 
is  said  by  the  historian  of  that  time,  that  a  politician  who 
favored  slavery  could  not  be  found. 

Gov.  Coles'  administration  went  out  in  a  blaze  of  glory. 
He  had  served  his  state  well,  given  his  term  and  all  his- 
salary  for  the  public  weal,  not  only  for  that  time  but  for  us^ 
now,  and  for  future  generations  yet  unborn.  uThe  victory 
was  decisive  of  the  question  for  all  time.77 

He  retired  from  office  December  1826,  at  the  age  of  forty, 
and  we  believe  did  not  accept  office  again.  In  the  year 
1833,  fifty  years  ago,  at  the  age  of  forty-seven,  he  removed 
to  Philadelphia,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Sal  lie  Logan 
Roberts,  having  in  after  years,  one  daughter  and  two  sons. 
He  died  July  6,  1868,  aged  eighty-two  years,  having  lived 
to  see  the  total  extinction  of  slavery. 


HON.  NINIAN  EDWARDS. 


THIRD   GOVERNOR  OF   ILLINOIS. 


Nativity,  education  and  family  connections — Removes  to  Ken- 
tucky—  Ripid  advancement  in  official  position  —  He  is 
appointed  Governor  of  Illinois  Territory  —His  long  service  — 
Becomes  a  candidate  for  Governor  in  1820  —  After  a  heated 
canvass  is  elected  —  His  prominent  characteristics  —  His 
contests  with  the  banks  —  Characteristics  of  the  people — 
Contests  not  political,  but  personal  —  The  pioneer  of  sixty 
years  ago  and  later  —  Gov.  Edwards'  independence  of  action  — 
Would  not  descend  to  the  arts  of  the  demagogue  —  Brief  ret- 
rospective view  and  close  cf  his  administration. 

Ninian  Edwards  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,. 
Maryland  in  1775.  His  education  was  such  as  ample 
means  can  secure  when  aroused  by  a  desire  to  excel  and  suc- 
ceed on  the  part  of  the  student.  His  family  stood  among 
the  most  prominent  in  Maryland,  admitted  to  the  highest 
social  circles,  having  great  influence  both  iu  their  native 
state  and  at  the  National  Capital.  He  was  a  fellow  school 
mate  with  William  Wirt,  afterward  Attorney  General  of 
the  United  States.  From  being  a  student,  Wirt  was  ad- 
vanced to  being  a  teacher,  and  young  Edwards  attended  his 
school  as  a  student.  When  sufficiently  advanced  to  attend 
college  he  was  sent  to  Carlisle  college,  Pennsylvania.  There 
he  commenced  the  study  of  law.  When  his  legal  and  busi- 
ness acquirements  were  attained,  he  went  to  Kentucky,  and 


28  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

'being  a  young  man  of  engaging  manners  and  courtly  ad- 
dress, soon  ranked  among  the  popular  young  men  of  the  str.te, 
and  was  elected  to  the  legislature.  When  his  term  expired 
he  removed  to  Russelville,  and  more  resolutely  than  ever 
-devoted  himself  to  study,  and  rose  to  eminence  in  his  pro- 
fession, and  was.  promoted  rapidly  from  one  success  to 
another  until  he  had  successively  filled  the  offices  of  Presi- 
ding Judge  of  the  General  Court,  Circuit  Court,  Judge  of 
•Court  of  Appeals,  and  before  he  was  thirty-two  years  old 
was  selected  as  Chief  Justice,  the  highest  judicial  position 
in  the  state. 

From  'this  position,  in  1809,  he  was  appointed  by  Mr. 
Madison  as  territorial  governor  of  Illinois,  and  served  until 
the  state  was  admitted  into  the  Union.  His  great  legal 
abilities,  ability  as  a  writer,  and  fluency  of  speech  as  an  ora- 
tor, made  him  a  formidable  competitor  to  his  opponents  in 
1826.  Party  lines  were  not  tightly  drawn,  both  candidates 
professing  to  be  Jackson  men,  but  Thomas  C.  Sloe,  his 
ohief  competitor,  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  being  the  regu- 
lar Jackson  nominee,  while  Edwards  was  making  his  can- 
vass on  his  personal  popularity,  and  on  the  principles  of 
state  policy  he  proposed  adopting.  Another  candidate, 
miking  the  contest  a  three  cornered  one,  was  Adolphus 
Frederick  Hubbard,  who,  from  ponderous  length  and 
weight  of  name,  thought  he  should  be  elected  governor. 
He  was  the  outgoing  lieutenant-governor,  and  claimed  the 
office  by  promotion.  Intellectually  he  was  inferior  to 
both  Ed  wards  and  Sloe,  admitting  in  his  speeches  that  he 
was  «  not  as  great  a  man  as  my  opponent,  Gov.  Edwards." 

We  can  define  this  tri-square  fight  no  more  clearly,  per- 
haps, than  by  giving  each  man  the  status  he  claimed  — Sloe 
as  a  Jackson  man,  Edwards  on  the  state  policy  and  personal 


NINIAX    EDWARDS.  29 


popularity,  and  Hubbard  from  the  fact  that  he  was  Lieu- 
tenant-governor, and  as  he  said  in  some  of  his  speeches,  "  I 
do  not  think  it  will  require  a  very  extraordinary  smart 
man  to  govern  you ;  for  to  tell  you  the  truth,  fellow-citi- 
zens, I  do  not  think  you  will  be  very  hard  to'  govern,  no 
how." 

Edwards  leaving  national  politics  to  the  future,  made 
the  burden  of  his  speeches  relate  to  state  affairs.  He  at- 
tacked the  wretched  banking  system,  characterizing  it  a& 
"  humiliating  to  our  pride  and  disreputable  to  our  character," 
"affording  speculators  the  opportunity  to  riot  on  the  neces- 
sities of  the  people,"  "  taking  the  honest  earnings  of  the 
sweat  of  your  brows."  He  fought  his  battle  and  made  his 
canvass  solely  on  the  ground  of  financial  reform,  irrespective 
of  party  affiliations.  His  forcible  and  instructive  addresses 
gained  the  ear  of  the  people,  produced  a  good  effect,  and 
they  sustaining  him,  he  was  elected.  But  the  legislature 
was  against  him,  and  almost  all  the  important  measures  he 
advocated  were  opposed  in  the  legislature  and  by  the  differ- 
ent rings  of  speculators  who  had  controlled  the  banks,  most 
of  them  having  became  defunct.  Thus  was  illustrated  the 
want  of  cordiality  between  the  executive  and  the  legislative 
branches,  and  it  continued  through  the  legislative  term  of 
1826-7. 

But  the  governor's  persistence  in  fighting  the  specula- 
tors was  to  have  its  triumphs.  By  the  election  of  1828  a 
new  legislature  was  elected,  and  it  was  more  favorable  to 
the  governor's  views,  and  we  find  much  of  the  legislation  at 
that  time  to  be  in  accord  with  his  views.  He  wag  constantly 
active  to  produce  this  state  of  public  opinion.  He  wrote 
with  great  facility,  and  his  productions  show  a  high  degree 
of  literary  merit. 


30  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 


The  varied  composition  of  the  homogeneous  citizenship 
of  Illinois  in  the  "  Life  and  Times"  of  Edwards  and  Rey- 
nolds, is  aptly  illustrated  by  historical  quotations  from  the 
literature  of  that  period.  It  is  said,  ••'  But  little  thought 
was  bestowed  on  governmental  affairs  by  the  masses."  The 
elective  franchise  was  given  by  the  voter,  because  he  was  a 
personal  friend  to  the  candidate.  This  indifference,  so  un- 
worthy of  the  citizen,  was  taken  advantage  of  by  the  office- 
hunter.  Politics  were  personal,  and  the  vote  was  bestowed, 
not  with  regard  to  public  welfare,  but  as  a  matter  of  per- 
sonal favor.  At  this  time,  from  1818  to  1831,  the  people 
voted  by  ballot,  as  it  was  thought  it  gave  the  voter  greater 
independence  of  action.  But  it  also  gave  them  the  oppor- 
tunity to  exercise  double  dealing  and  dissimulation,  both  on 
the  part  of  the  voter  and  the  candidate,  by  mutual  decep- 
tion of  every  grade  and  character.  Sometimes  the  most 
adroit  intriguer  met  with  the  most  success.  The  voter 
would  make  promises,  then  violate  them  if  a  greater  induce- 
ment was  offered  him.  "  To  cure  this  evil,  the  legislature, 
at  its  session  1829,  adopted  the  open  vote  system,  making 
it  imperative  on  the  voter  to  call  out  the  name  of  the  can- 
didate he  voted  for." 

Then,  as  now,  with  a  certain  class  of  politicians,  "  treat- 
ing" during  a  political  canvass  was  thought  to  be  necessary 
to  success.  Candidates  for  office  would  give  orders  to  liquor 
saloons  to  "treat"  freely  to  whoever  would  drink  at  their 
expense,  for  weeks  before  the  day  of  election.  Saturdays, 
more  commonly  than  other  days,  was  "treating  day,"  the 
voters  congregating  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  coming 
long  distances  to  hear  the  news  and  «  fill  up,"  frequently 
getting  drunk  and  engaging  in  rough  and  tumble  fights. 
The  candidates  would  make  it  a  point  to  be  there  and 


NINIAN    EDWARDS.  31 


'harangue  "  the  boys"  on  the  "  ishoos"  of  the  campaign,  and 
the  most  particular  one  in  it,  their  own  success.  Meeting 
in  the  shady  groves,  the  orators  would  thunder  forth  their 
•claims,  mounted  on  convenient  wagons,  logs  or  stumps. 
From  this  grew  the  phrase  "  Stumping  it."  Men  were  dis- 
cussed, not  measures.  The  most  bitter  personal  arraign- 
ment of  the  other  candidate  was  the  stock  in  trade  of  these 
loud-mouthed  statesmen. 

The  shades  of  evening  would  give  warning,  and  the 
crowd  would  mount  their  horses,  get  in  their  ox  carts,  or 
-on  foot  wend  their  way  home,  hurrahing  or  yelling  for  their 
favorite  candidate,  and  cursing  his  opponent. 

The  pioneers, — all  honor  to  their  memories  —  though 
of  rough  exterior,  a  majority  of  them  were  well  meaning, 
and  it  was  not.their  fault  that  in  a  majority  of  cases  they  were 
ignorant,  sometimes  persuading  themselves  it  was  a  virtue 
to  be  so.  They  were,  for  this  reason,  more  easily  duped,  im- 
feibing  passionate  and  unreasonable  prejudices,  opposing  as 
innovations  any  public  policy  that  promised  the  elevation  or 
•education  of  the  people,  and  unfortunately  their  descend- 
ants at  an  early  day  were  no  improvement  on  the  paternal 
stock.  In  many  cases  their  isolated  life  made  them  more 
reckless  when  they  came  from  their  homes  and  met  their 
fellow-citizens  on  public  occasions.  They  were  brave,  and 
to  show  it,  many  of  them  courted  personal  combats.  Ar- 
rayed in  red  hunting  shirts,  over  buckskin  breeches,  home- 
made skin  cap,  sometimes  carrying  a  huge  knife  belted 
round  their  waist,  they  were  a  walking  challenge  against  all 
comers,  —  an  invitation  to  "pitch  in  boys,  if  you  doubt  it" 
kind,  that  led  to  many  brawls.  Candidates  courted  this 
•class,  and  their  influence  sometimes  turned  the  scale. 


32  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

Governor  Edwards,  in  making  his  canvass  of  the  state, 
strove  to  pierce  this  armor  of  ignorance,  violence,  and  spe- 
cies of  intimidation,  putting  his  canvass  above  personal 
considerations,  and  for  the  future  advancement  of  the  state's 
great  interests.  He  brought  great  legal  research  and  acu- 
men to  his  aid,  never  condescending  to  the  low  arts  of 
electioneering,  such  as  wearing  poorer  clothes,  or  assuming 
to  be  ignorant  when  he  was  not,  as  his  successor,  Reynolds, 
would  do ;  but  whenever  he  went  out  among  the  people  to 
address  them,  he  wore  the  best  clothes  he  had,  traveled  in 
the  same  style  as  when  not  a  candidate,  in  his  own  carriage, 
driven  by  a  colored  coachman.  His  enemies  tried  to  prej- 
udice the  people  against  him  by  charging  him  with  being  an 
"  aristocrat,  living  in  this  pomp  and  style,"  when  he  was 
only  pursuing  the  even  tenor  of  his  home-life  for  years,  not 
changing  it  to  catch  the  applause  of  the  multitude  when  he 
became  a  candidate  for  their  suifrages.  As  before  intimated 
in  the  recollections  of  our  historical  readings,  Governor 
Edward's  official  term  was  a  contest  with  the  banks  to  com- 
pel them  to  keep  within  the  limits  prescribed  in  their  charters, 
and  to  advance  the  credit  of  the  state,  so  that,  when  he  re- 
tired from  office  in  December,  1830,  it  would  be  found  that 
the  state  was  in  a  healthy  condition  as  to  its  fiscal  affairs. 
That  it  was  so  when  he  turned  over  the  executive  office  to 
his  successor,  history  most  conclusively  shows. 

He  retired  from  official  position  as  governor  in  the  fifty- 
fifth  year  of  his  age,  leaving  the  state,  as  a  legacy,  the 
records  of  his  best  efforts  for  its  prosperity  since  his  appoint- 
ment as  territorial  governor  in  1809,  both  in  his  official  and 
private  life. 


,  JOHN  REYNOLDS,  THE  "  OLD  RANGER/' 


FOURTH  GOTERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 


What  was  said  about  the  "Guvnor" — Nativity,  parentage  and 
educational  advantages  —  Studies  the  classics  —  Slight  evi- 
dence of  the  fact  —  Characteristics  of  the  population  —  He 
readily  adopts  them  —  His  linguistic  powers  of  adaptation  — 
His  competitor,  William  Kinney  —  How  the  canvass  was  con- 
ducted between  them  —  Keynolds  elected  —  The  Black  Hawk 
War  —  The  soldier's  friend  —  Would  made  every  man  a  Cap- 
tain or  General  —  Appoints  Charley  Henderson  a  "volunteer 
aid"  —  Goes  the  rounds  of  the  three  month  service — Elected 
to  Congress  —  His  story  of  the  rise  of  the  waters  without  any 
rain  falling  —  Closing  political  career — Opposes  Douglas  in 
1858  —  Pro-slavery  views  —  Sympathies  with  the  South  — 
His  death  in  1865. 

Our  "Recollections"  of  the  "Old  Ranger"  are  not  very 
extensive.  His  most  expressive  "happenings"  occurred  be- 
fore our  time.  He  was  just  on  his  "last  legs"  as  governor 
when  we  came  to  the  state,  but  had  made  himself  so 
renowned  that  everybody  had  something  to  say  about  the 
"  Guvnor."  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1778,  of 
Irish  parentage ;  removed  to  Tennessee  in  1790,  and  stop- 
ping there  for  ten  years,  came  to  Illinois  in  1800.  Edu- 
cational advantages  were  limited  at  that  time  in  the  territory, 
and  he  returned  to  Tennessee  to  have  the  bright  edges  of 
his  intellect  furbished  up,  and  he  tells  us  in  his  "  Life  and 
Times,"  that  he  there  acquired  a  "  classical  education,"  but 

3 


34  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

no  one  would  suspect  this  fact  from  "  his  life  and  conversa- 
tion," "  his  expositions  of  the  classics,"  his  writings  and 
official  papers.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he  would  affect  igno- 
rance where  he  possessed  ample  knowledge,  in  order  not  to 
appear  "  too  knowing."  In  the  portion  of  the  state  where 
he  "  had  his  range,"  largely  in  St.  Clair,  Randolph,  Madi- 
son and  surrounding  counties,  the  population  was  largely 
made  up  of  Kentuckians,  Tennesseeans,  Virginians  and 
adjoining  southern  states,  a  large  sprinkling  of  French,  a 
few  from  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  and  occasionally  a  stray 
Yankee,  whose  presence  was  scarcely  tolerated. 

A  large  portion  of  this  heterogenous  mass  was  rude, 
rough,  and  very  ignorant, — "  poor  white  trash,"  whose  ances- 
tors not  being  rich  enough  to  own  slaves,  were  not  respected 
as  much  as  their  chattels,  the  slaves,  among  slave  owners. 
This  floating,  listless  and  thriftless  population,  composed  a 
portion  of  the  emigration  from  those  states  at  the  time,  but 
the  men  among  them  had  votes,  and  among  this  class  it  was 
a  crime  for  a  candidate  to  know  too  much.  John  Reynolds 
being  a  politician,  must  come  down  to  the  tastes,  habits  of 
life,  language,  expletives  and  jargon  of  "  We-uns."  He 
"  imbibed"  their  characteristics  as  he  did  their  favorite  bev- 
erage, adopted  their  manners,  customs  and  speech,  drank  in 
their  "  Shibboleth  ;"  he  disliked  polish,  for  their  sakes  con- 
temned fashion,  and  in  short  was,  to  please  the  crowd, 
addicted  to  u  licker"  and  profanity.  The  historian  records 
of  him,  that  his  mind  was  "garnished  by  his  various  read- 
ing, a  native  shrewdness,  and  a  wonderful  faculty  of  garrul- 
ity, making  him  one  of  the  public  oddities  in  the  annals  of 
Illinois."  Most  fertile  was  his  imagination,  wonderous  his 
powers  to  express  his  ideas,  not  connected  with  logical  de- 
ductions, as  this  would  been  lost  on  his  hearers.  He  could 


JOHN    REYNOLDS.  35 


"  dialect"  the  Gaelic,  the  Milesian,  adopt  the  linguistic  pe- 
culiarities of  the  Kentucky  hunter,  the  Tennessee  Ranger, 
the  patois  of  the  kind  of  French  then  spoken  around  Kas- 
kaskia,  Cahokia  or  St.  Louis.  He  was  kindness  personi- 
fied, always  ready  to  do  a  favor,  and  to  forgive  "  those  that 
persecuted  him."  He  was  angular,  walked  with  a  swinging 
gait,  tall  of  stature,  bony,  and  deeply  furrowed  face,  and 
under  his  high,  narrow  forehead,  his  eyes  rolled  round, 
showing  kindness.  His  nose  "  Romanized  well  down 
towards  his  ample  mouth/7  from  which  issued  almost  a  con- 
stant stream  of  volubility.  He  possessed  the  "  Democratic" 
manners  of  his  time,  a  sociable  and  talkative  disposition, 
and  his  delight  was  to  mingle  with  the  people.  At  that  time 
Reynolds  was  not  "  a  whole  hog  "  Jackson  man,  so  he  ran 
independently  for  governor  against  William  Kinney,  the 
regular  Jackson  candidate.  The  Whigs,  or  Adams7  men, 
did  not  run  a  candidate,  but  generally  voted  for  Reynolds 
because  he  was  the  independent  candidate.  Kinnuy  was 
lieutenant-governor  under  Gov.  Edwards,  the  retiring  gov- 
ernor. History  tells  of  Kinney,  that  he  was  "  remarkable  for 
intelligence  and  business  capacity.77  He  was  a  u  Hardshell 
Baptist'7  preacher.  He  was  of  social  disposition,  could  re- 
late pithy  anecdotes,  which  served  him  a  good  purpose  in 
electioneering,  was  regarded  one  of  the  best  political  can- 
vassers in  the  state,  possessing  unbounding  energy  and  great 
ambition.  He  was,  along  with  his  pulpit  capacity,  endowed 
with  a  jovial  turn  and  witty  pleasantry.  It  was  the  prac- 
tice in  those  days  for  candidates  to  "treat,77  and  Mr.  Kin- 
ney would  so  far  forget  his  clerical  calling  as  to  "  set  7em 
up77  for  the  boys.  But  Reynolds  could  discount  him  and 
"  go  one  better  ;77  he  could  not  only  "  set  7em  up,7'  but  "go 
in  and  have  a  time77  with  the  boys  and  indulge  in  profanity. 


36  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

These  two  last  political  virtues  of  the  times  Kinney  would 
not  indulge  in,  so  he  was  «  badly  left"  when  the  votes  were 
counted.  Kinney  preached  on  Sundays  while  making  the 
canvass  of  the  state,  while  Reynolds  would  gather  a  large 
circle  of  choice  spirits  and  "  gi'n  a  treat,"  and  so  the  can- 
vass went  on  between  the  men.  Both  candidates  were 
"  down  on  the  Yankees."  .  Kinney  opposed  the  canal 
project,  giving  as  a  reason  for  it  that  it  would  open  up  a 
floodtide  of "  Yankee "  emigration  to  the  state,  which  he 
and  his  ultra  partizans  could  not  brook  the  thought  of. 

Reynolds  professed  great  admiration  for  Jackson,  though 
not  ultra,  and  the  "  whole  hog"  Jackson  men  denounced 
him  as  an  "  outsider,"  and  party  excitement  ran  high  ;  per- 
sonalities were  indulged  in,  and  bitter  reproaches  were 
heaped  on  the  candidates  by  the  friends  of  the  other  by  cir- 
culating all  kinds  of  scandalous  charges.  But  the  "  una- 
dulterated Jackson  man,  and  the  Whisky  Baptist,"  who 
claimed  that  he  "  fought  with  the  sword  of  the  Lord  and 
the  spirit"  was  defeated,  and  after  a  wearisome  campaign 
of  eighteen  months  Reynolds  was  elected.  The  animosities 
engendered  in  the  campaign  followed  him  in  his  official  life. 
The  majority  in  the  legislature  was  against  him,  and  an- 
noyed him  by  rejecting  his  nominations. 

In  1832  occurred  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  in  it  the 
"  Old  Ranger  "  merged  all  his  political  difficulties.  He  was 
more  of  a  "  ranger  "  than  a  fighter,  but  he  had  good  fighting 
stock  around  him,  among  the  most  famous  being  Gen.  James 
D.  Henry,  who  would  have  succeeded  him  as  governor  had 
he  lived.  Reynolds  left  his  military  affairs  entirely  to  his 
generals.  He  mixed  up  with  the  men,  and  if  he  could  have 
done  so,  every  man  would  have  been  promoted,  he  was  so 
kind.  Illustrative  of  this,  the  author  will  relate  a  case  in 


JOHN    REYNOLDS.  37 


point.  Our  good,  kind  and  scholarly  school  teacher,  Charles 
Henderson,  who  had  taught  our  country  school  for  three 
winters  in  Ohio,  emigrated  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1832. 
He  came  on  horseback,  arrived  just  at  the  time  when  enlist- 
ments were  being  made  and  men  were  being  hurried  forward 
to  the  place  of  rendezvous.  He  became  a  "camp  follower/' 
came  up  with  the  army  at  Beardstown,  was  presented  to  the 
governor,  told  him  that  he  came  to  see  the  country,  and  if 
there  was  any  service  he  could  render,  himself  and  horse 
were  at  the  service  of  the  state.  "  Yes,"  said  the  governor, 
"  I  can  take  you  as  volunteer  aid,  we  want  a  good  many  of 
that  kind  now."  "  Well,  governor,  that  will  suit  me,"  said 
Charley,  "  what  are  the  duties  of  the  position?"  "  Well, " 
said  the  governor,  "  go  along,  feed  your  horse  from  the  sub- 
sistence department,  yourself  at  my  quarters,  assist  me  some 
with  my  writing,  help  the  quartermaster  and  commissary 
when  they  call  on  you,  and  when  we  get  where  there  is  any 
fighting  to  be  done  pitch  in  and  fight  like  h — 1." 

Our  old  school  teacher  accepted  the  conditions,  went 
along,  made  his  services  so  acceptable  in  the  department 
assigned  him,  that  the  governor  did  not  call  on  him  to  tf  fight 
the  Indians  like  h — 1,"  made  the  rounds  of  the  three 
months'  service,  returned  to  Jacksonville  where  a  brother 
was  residing,  settled  himself,  married  a  Miss  McDonald, 
raised  a  large  family  and  died  there  about  1876. 

The  reader  will  pardon  .this  digression.  Many  anec- 
dotes are  told  of  the  governor's  military  career,  but  we  are 
admonished  that  since  the  half  century  ago  there  has  been 
other  governors  of  whom  our  "recollections"  are  more 
fresh,  so  must  proceed  with  our  history. 

-    At  the  close   of  his  gubernatorial  term  Reynolds  was 
elected  to  Congress,  serving  three  terms,  taking  in  the  Jack- 


38  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

son  and  Van  Buren  administrations.  In  the  negotiations 
to  raise  funds  to  build  the  canal  he  was  appointed  financial 
agent  to  England,  but  his  service  was  not  a  success  for  the 

State. 

In  his  congressional  canvass  among  his  constituents  he 
would  plead  to  the  utmost  simplicity  and  ignorance,  to 
bring  himself  down  on  a  level  with  their  intelligence  and 
knowledge. 

On  one  occasion  he  was  making  a  speech  telling  what  he 
had  seen  at  Washington.  He  and  President  Jackson  were 
very  great  friends  and  often  rode  out  together.  On  one 
occasion  they  passed  along  the  banks  of  the  Potomac.  The 
day  was  fine,  a  bright  clear  sky  overhead.  They  rode  on 
and  out  on  the  Bladensburg  road.  In  two  or  three  hours 
they  returned  by  the  same  route.  It  was  high  tide,  and 
the  waters  from  the  bay  were  flowing  in.  The  governor 
told  his  audience  that  he  was  alarmed.  He  said  to  the 
president,  "  Mr.  President,  where  the  h — 1  does  this  flood 
come  from ;  there  has  not  been  a  G — d  d — d  bit  of  rain 
fell  in  a  month,"  ignoring  the  fact  to  his  audience  that 
he  knew  anything  about  the  flowing  or  ebbing  of  the  tide. 

Passing  over  his  further  legislative  experience,  we  notice 
his  change  of  sentiment  in  1857-58.  "  He  always  claimed 
the  staunchest  adhesion  to  the  Democratic  party."  He 
quarreled  with  Douglas,  and  sided  with  Buchanan  in  trying 
to  fasten  slavery  on  Kansas  by  the  Lecompton  Constitution. 
He  was  the  administration  standard  bearer  in  1858,  as  the 
candidate  of  the  Buchanan  faction  for  Superintendent  of 
Public  Instruction.  The  author  met  him  while  making  the 
canvass  of  the  state.  He  came  to  the  State  Fair  at  Cen- 
tralia  that  year,  and  was  "breathing  out  threatening  and 
slaughter"  against  Douglas.  He  made  a  speech  in  the 


JOHN    REYNOLDS. 


afternoon,  mingled  with  some  profanity.  Some  of  his  old 
anecdotes  were  listened  to  and  laughed  at,  but  he  had  lost 
his  power  over  the  people. 

In  1860  he  attended  the  Charleston  convention  as  a  dele- 
gate, and  voted  for  Breckenridge,  doing  all  he  could  against 
Douglas. 

Owing  to  his  proslavery  views  no  man  received  greater 
attention  from  southern  delegates  than  he.  He  was  talka- 
tive and  vehement,  and  aided  in  "  firing  the  southern 
heart"  to  stick  to  Breckenridge.  After  the  presidential 
canvass  was  decided  in  1860  he  was  open  in  maintaining 
secession  principles,  going  to  the  extent  of  urging  the 
Buchanan  officials  to  seize  the  treasure  and  arms  in  the  cus- 
tom house  and  arsenal  at  St.  Louis.  He  died  at  Belleville 
in  May,  1865,  living  just  long  enough  to  see  the  rebellion 
crushed.  His  wife  survived  him  but  a  few  months.  He 
left  no  children. 


JOSEPH  DUNCAN. 

FIFTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Beminiscence  of  the  author  — Nativity,  early  life,  and  military 
services  — Comes  to  Jackson  County  at  an  early  day  — Ap- 
pointed Major-General—Services  as  senator  —  Elected  to 
Congress  —  Supports  General  Jackson— Appointed  Brigadier 
General— Campaign  at  Rock  Island— His  difference  with 
Jackson's  policy  —  Candidacy  for  governor  —  Elected  —  In- 
augural address  —  State  bank  and  branches  chartered  —  Con- 
ditions of  the  charter  —  Distrust,  want  of  harmony  and  mis- 
representation—Division and  strife— Wild  internal  im- 
provement legislation  —  Council  of  Revision— Their  opin- 
ion— Influence  of  lobbyists  —  End  of  term  —Again  a  candi- 
date in  1842. 

From  1830  to  1840  embraces  two  fall  gubernatorial 
terms  and  a  part  of  another,  of  which  the  author  retains  a 
very  vivid  general  recollection,  although  at  the  opening  of 
Oov.  Duncan's  administration  he  was  just  "  sweet  sixteen/' 
engaged  every  day  at  ^laborious  work  on  the  farm,  and  ex- 
pecting at  that  time  to  make  it  a  life  business.  If,  there- 
fore, there  are  some  mistakes  in  the  dates  on  which  events 
happened,  let  it  be  attributed  to  the  then  youth  of  the  au- 
thor and  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  the  most  correct  infor- 
mation. 

Joseph  Duncan  was  born  at  Paris,  Kentucky,  February 
23,  1794.  Of  his  parentage  we  find  nothing  in  our  reading, 
nor  of  his  earlier  education.  However,  we  know  the  latter 


JOSEPH    DUNCAN.  41 


was  limited,  and  that  he  enlisted  in  the  war  of  1812,  when 
only  eighteen  years  old.  He  was  an  ensign,  and  under 
Croghan  at  Fort  Stephenson,  Lower  Sandusky,  acquitted 
himself  with  credit.  Coming  to  Illinois  after  the  war  he 
settled  in  Jackson  County,  and  soon,  from  his  military  ex- 
perience, was  elected  as  Major-General  of  militia.  Soon 
after  he  was  elected  state  senator  from  Jackson  County,  and 
is  honorably  mentioned  as  being  the  first  member  that  in- 
troduced a  bill  providing  for  a  free  school  system.  He  was 
elected  to  Congress  in  1826,  and  re-elected  each  succeeding 
term  from  that  time  until  he  was  elected  governor. 

In  1831  he  received  from  Gov.  Reynolds  the  appoint- 
ment of  Brigadier-General  for  service  in  the  field,  that  year 
being  the  first  demonstration  made  by  Black  Hawk,  but  it 
was  not  attended  by  massacre  or  bloodshed.  Duncan  con- 
ducted his  brigade  to  Rock  Island,  the  difficulties  with  the 
Indians  were  temporarily  adjusted,  and  the  troops  mustered 
out.  His  long  service  of  eight  years  in  Congress,  previous 
service  in  the  state,  and  his  military  record,  eminently  fitted 
him  for  any  service  to  which  the  state  would  call  him. 
With  his  naturally  fine  abilities,  the  store  of  knowledge  re- 
garding affairs  of  state,  added  to  his  clear  judgment,  decis- 
ion, moral  courage  and  personal  deportment,  all  pointed  to 
him  as  the  representative  man  to  inaugurate  the  grand  sys- 
tem of  internal  improvements  that  previous  legislation  had 
initiated. 

On  the  financial  questions  of  the  day  in  national  legisla- 
tion, Gen.  Duncan  had  become  estranged  from  the  admin- 
istration of  President  Jackson,  whom  in  former  years,  in 
1824,  1828  and  1832,  had  received  his  hearty  support  for 
the  presidency,  the  two  last  being  successful.  Jackson,  ar- 
bitrarily as  he  thought,  had  suspended  the  functions  of  the 


42  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

United  States  Bank  as  the  financial  agent  of  the  govern- 
ment; he  had  vetoed  bills  appropriating' money  for  im- 
provements of  the  great  rivers,  Mississippi,  Illinois,  and 
Wabash,  and  for  the  harbor  at  Chicago,  Duncan  having  the 
interests  of  his  constituents  at  heart,  was  obliged  to  break 
with  the  administration,  and  in  manly  addresses  sent 
through  circulars  to  the  people  of  Illinois,  advised  them  of 
the  reasons  why  he  could  not  support  the  administration. 
He  did  not  canvass  the  state  in  person  when  a  candidate  for 
governor.  The  public  interests  demanded  that  he  should 
remain  at  his  post  as  member  of  Congress.  The  medium 
he  employed  to  reach  the  people  was  through  the  press. 

Gen.  Duncan  was  opposed  in  his  candidacy  for  governor 
by  ex-Lieut.  Governor  Kinney,  who  had  twice  before  been 
beaten,  but  who  hoped  this  time,  in  consequence  of  Duncan's 
break  with  the  administration,  to  rally  the  Jacksonian 
strength  to  his  aid  and  be  elected.  There  were  also  two 
other  independent  candidates ;  Robert  McLaughlin  and 
James  Adams.  On  what  issues  they  were  presented  as  can- 
dinates,  further  than  the  general  wish  of  themselves  and 
their  friends  that  they  should  be  elected  governor,  we  are 
not  at  present  advised. 

The  vote  stood,  Duncan,  17,330;  Kinney,  10,224;  Mc- 
Laughlin, 4,320;  and  Adams,  887,  showing  that  Duncan 
received  1,899  votes  more  than  the  combined  opposition  to 
him,— the  total  vote  of  the  state  cast  at  that  election  being 
32,761  votes,  proving  that  Duncan  had  lost  none  of  his  old 
time  popularity  by  his  difference  with  the  administration, 
the  people  not  choosing  to  guage  him  by  a  party  standard 
in  respect  to  what  they  expected  from  him  in  the  manage- 
ments of  the  state's  interests  in  conducting  the  grand  sys- 
tem of  internal  improvements  that  he  had  paved  the  way 


JOSEPH    DUNCAN.  43 


for  in  his  eight  years  congressional  career.  In  entering  on 
the  duties  of  his  office,  in  December,  1834,  he  defined  his 
state  policy,  and  although  ihe  legislature  was  opposed  to 
him  in  his  new  departure  from  the  Jacksonian  faith,  "his 
recommendations  relating  to  state  affairs  were  most  fully 
seconded  and  carried  out."  One  of  the  measures  he  had 
differed  with  President  Jackson  about,  was  in  the  banking 
system,  the  other  on  improvements  of  navigable  rivers  and 
harbors ;  the  last,  more  particularly  relating  to  Chicago 
harbor. 

In  regard  to  the  first,  he  now  had  an  opportunity  of  im- 
pressing his  views  of  banking  on  the  people  of  the  state. 
In  his  inaugural  message  he  says :  "Banks  may  be  made 
exceedingly  useful  in  society,  not  only  by  affording  an  op- 
portunity to  the  widow,  the  orphan  and  aged,  who  possess 
capital  without  the  capacity  of  employing  it  in  ordinary 
business,  to  invest  in  such  stocks ;  but  by  its  use  the  young 
and  enterprising  mechanic,  merchant  and  tradesman  may 
be  enabled  more  successfully  to  carry  on  his  business  and 
improve  the  country." 

The  legislature  were  not  elected  with  reference  to  the 
creation  of  a  new  bank,  but  taking  the  responsibility,  they 
created  a  new  state  bank,  capital  $1,500,000,  privileged  to 
increase  the  stock  to  $1,000,000  more,  and  authorized  six 
branches.  The  suspended  territorial  bank  at  Shawneetown 
was  resucitated  with  a  capital  of  $300,000. 

The  chartering  of  these  banks  was  but  the  entering  upon 
a  wild  system  of  speculation,  sanctioned  by  legislation, 
which  followed  in  the  next  few  years,  and  which  over- 
whelmed the  state  in  debt  and  almost  financial  ruin.  The 
governor,  no  doubt,  was  honest  in  recommending  the  system,, 
not  knowing  the  class  of  greedy  speculators  that  would 


44  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

swarm  around  to  control  the  bank.  His  view  of  it  was, 
that  there  would  be  an  inadequate  supply  of  currency,  as 
the  charter  of  the  old  United  States  bank  was  about  to  ex- 
pire, and  that  the  organization  of  these  banks  at  this  oppor- 
tune time  would,  with  their  circulation,  take  the  place  of 
the  retiring  currency  of  the  national  institution.  It  was 
also  given  out,  that  in  order  to  satisfy  the  people,  and  the 
more  readily  obtain  their  acquiescence  in  the  Jacksonian 
policy  of  hostility  to  rechartering  the  United  States  bank, 
that  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  <{  had  encouraged  the 
state  and  local  banks  liberally,"  by  depositing  the  public 
moneys  in  their  vaults,  thus  favoring  the  multiplying  of 
state  and  local  banks.  We  well  remember  the  arguments 
used  in  these  years  of  1835-36  and  1837,  and  the  issues  of 
those  banks  at  the  time  were  regarded  as  good  as  gold  and 
silver.  The  people,  without  regard  to  party,  favored  the 
circulation  of  their  notes,  showing  that  originally  they  were 
not  party  measures.  "  The  bank  had  the  usual  power  to 
receive  deposits,  deal  in  bills,  gold  and  silver,  but  was  pro- 
hibited from  dealing  in  real  estate  or  personal  property, 
other  than  to  dispose  of  such  as  it  might  be  compelled  to 
buy  or  bid  in  at  sales  upon  judgments ;  but  it  had  power  to 
borrow  a  million  dollars  to  loan  out  on  real  estate  mort- 
gages for  five  years." 

This  provision  was  to  give  all  classes  who  could  com- 
mand the  collaterals  the  chance  to  obtain  loans  on  long 
time.  It  commended  the  bank  legislation  to  farmers,  who 
could  borrow  money  to  buy  additional  land,  or  to  add  im- 
provements to  that  already  purchased.  "The  principal 
bank  was  located  at  Springfield,  with  branch  at  Vandalia; 
other  branches  might  be  established  and  discontinued  as 
the  officers  should  determine." 


JOSEPH    DUNCAN.  45 


"  The  circulation  was  not  to  exceed  two  and  a  half 
times  the  paid  up  capital  stock.  If  the  bank  refused  to  re- 
deem for  ten  days  after  demand,  it  was  to  be  closed  and 
wound  up."  This  was  not  so  bad,  if  the  provisions  had 
been  rigidly  carried  out.  At  the  extra  session  of  Decem- 
ber and  January,  1835-6,  the  $100,000  of  the  capital  stock 
reserved  for  the  state  was  authorized  to  be  sold ;  addi- 
tional branches  of  discount  and  deposit,  not  more  than 
three,  were  authorized  ;  and  fifty  days  in  addition  to  ten 
were  allowed  for  the  redemption  of  notes.  By  act  of  same 
date  the  bank  paper  was  authorized  to  be  received  in  pay- 
ment of  the  revenue  of  the  state,  the  college,  school  and 
seminary  debts. 

But  the  jealousy  of  capitalists,  the  strife  for  the  con- 
trol of  the  institutions  chartered,  engendered,  in  malicious, 
but  influential  citizens,  intense  hostility  to  the  banks. 
These  individuals  made  representations  that  influenced  the 
treasury  department  at  Washington  to  withhold  the  deposit 
of  government  funds  with  the  new  banks,  thus  creating 
distrust  and  doubt  as  to  their  solvency.  This  caused  any 
government  funds  that  may  have  been  deposited  with  these 
banks  to  be  withdrawn.  Party  malice  and  private  resent- 
ments were  made  to  outweigh  the  public  good ;  vengeful 
machinations  of  disappointed  partizans  formed  combina- 
tions to  draw  specie  from  the  vaults  of  the  banks,  and 
through  misrepresentations,  to  prevent  any  to  be  again  de- 
posited. Scarcely  were  the  banks  in  operation  with  their 
enormously  augmented  capital  stocks  when  the  disastrous 
financial  revulsion  of  1837  occurred. 

Parties  then  became  divided  upon  the  subject  of  bank- 
ing, although  they  were  authorized  and  their  capital  stock 
increased,  irrespective  of  party.  In  May,  1837,  the  banks 


46  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

suspended  specie  payment.  They  were  solvent,  but  the 
drain  of  specie  at  that  time  could  not  be  borne.  They 
were  the  fiscal  agents  of  the  state,  and  their  suspension 
would  involve  the  state  and  all  its  internal  improvements 
in  common  ruin.  A  special  session  of  the  legislature  was 
called  July  10,  and  the  bank  suspensions  legalized. 

In  his  special  message  to  this  legislature  Gov.  Dun- 
can urgently  appealed  to  the  members  to  repeal  the  per- 
nicious system  of  internal  improvements  by  the  State,  and 
let  it  be  assumed  and  controlled  by  private  enterprise.  To 
this  the  legislature  turned  a  deaf  ear.  He  made  patriotic 
appeals  to  the  people  to  save  the  state  credit  by  ceasing  to 
w:ir  on  the  financial  institutions  of  their  own  creation; 
that  the  credit  of  the  banks  was  the  credit  of  the  state;  to 
make  war  on  the  currency  was  to  oppose  enterprise  and 
impede  the  growth  of  the  state.  Even  at  this  time,  had 
there  been  a  union  of  interests  in  behalf  of  the  state's 
credit,  there  would  have  been  but  little  loss  and  disaster  to 
the  state,  compared  to  the  millions  that  followed,  in  the 
persistent  adherence  to  the  wild  schemes  adopted  by  the 
two  previous  legislatures.  Gov.  Duncan  tried  to  save  the 
credit  of  the  state  by  at  once  stopping  the  wild  and  reck- 
less system  of  internal  improvements,  noted  more  at  length 
in  another  chapter  of  this  volume,  and  to  take  the  manage- 
ment of  the  banks  from  the  control  of  speculators,  who 
directly  or  indirectly  gave  directions  to  their  financial  op- 
erations. 

But  his  efforts  to  stem  the  tide  of  expanding  ideas  and 
wild  schemes  of  visionary  speculators,  were  overborne  by 
the  wildest  legislation  of  the  legislature  last  met  preceding 
his  retirement  from  office.  The  council  of  revision,  in 
their  objections  to  one  of  these  stupendous  internal  im- 


JOSEPH    DUNCAN.  47 


provement  bills  that  had  passed  the  legislature,  assigned 
as  a  reason  why  they  could  not  approve  it,  "that  such 
works  can  only  be  made  safely  and  economically  in  a  free 
government  by  citizens,  or  by  corporations  aided  or  au- 
thorized by  government."  The  legislature,  when  the  bill 
was  returned  to  them  with  these  and  further  objections, 
said  that  such  vast  public  works  would  exercise  an  undue 
influence  over  legislation  when  carried  on  by  the  state. 
This  was  only  too  self-evident  already,  as  combination  and 
ring  legislation  were  masters  of  the  situation,  and  on  the 
bill  being  returned  to  the  legislature,  it  was  passed,  not- 
withstanding the  objections  of  the  council  of  revision. 
"  There  was  a  powerful  lobby  present,  busily  engaged  ap- 
plying the  pressure  to  pliant  members."  These  lobbyists 
were  generally  large  contractors,  or  those  that  expected  to 
be  when  the  improvements  were  authorized  by  the  legisla- 
ture. If  these  parties  could  not  attend  in  person,  a  paid 
.attorney,  glib  of  tongue,  charged  with  the  arguments  to 
ibe  used,  was  kept  at  the  capital  to  interview  and  cajole  the 
members.  Their  schemes  were  portrayed  in  glowing  colors, 
rand  their  success  driven  home  by  oratorical  efforts  that, 
from  their  earnestness,  seemed  both  truthful  and  logical 
arguments.  Gov.  Duncan's  efforts  to  stem  the  tide  of  this 
wild  infatuation  were  fruitless.  The  schemers  were  bold, 
unscrupulous  and  persevering.  Their  wildest  imaginings 
were  argued  into  fact.  Every  art  of  reasoning  that  the 
ieeming  brain  of  man  could  suggest  was  brought  into  requi- 
sition to  further  the  success  of  their  schemes.  Doubts  re- 
garding the  advantages  of  the  system  were  scouted,  the  re- 
sources of  the  state  magnified,  and  the  advantages  of  the 
works  set  forth  with  a  positiveness  that  seemed  born  of  ac- 
tual knowledge  or  the  inspiration  of  prohhecy. 


48 

But  the  welcome  time  came  to  him  at  last ;  the  expira- 
tion of  his  term  of  office  approached,  and  the  election  of 
his  successor  was  at  hand.  Gov.  Duncan  retired  from 
office  enjoying  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  people  of  the 
State  that  he  had  served  so  faithfully  in  earlier  days  in  the 
State  Legislature,  from  1826  to  1834  in  Congress,  and  from 
1834  to  1838  as  governor. 

The  Whig  party,  with  whom  he  acted,  in  1842  again 
nominated  him  for  governor,  but  the  democrats  were  so 
largely  in  the  ascendant  in  the  state  at  that  time  that  it  was 
almost  a  forlorn  hope  for  that  party  to  make  a  nomination. 
This,  with  the  popularity  of  Judge  Ford,  the  democratic 
candidate,  gave  not  a  ray  of  hope  that  he  would  be  elected. 


THOMAS  CARLIN. 


SIXTH   GOVERNOR   OF  ILLINOIS. 


The  People  still  having  great  expectations  —  Gov.  Carlin's  na- 
tivity—  Educational  advantages  —  His  father  moves  to  Mis- 
souri—Thomas  returns  to  Illinois  — Enters  the  military 
service  as  a  Hanger  —  Gets  married  —  Locates  at  Carrolton  — 
Enters  the  Black  Hawk  war  and  commands  a  spy  battalion 
—In  1834  appointed  receiver  of  public  moneys  —  Receives 
democratic  nomination  for  governor  —  Elected  —  His  charac- 
teristics—  Fully  endorses  the  internal  improvement  system 

—  Appoints  Gov.  Reynolds  and  Senator  Young  fund  commis- 
sioners—  Legislative  reproof   of   the   acts  of  the  commis- 
sioners—  Calls  an  extra  session  — Recommends  a  change  — 
Calls  a  halt  —  The  legislature  abolish  two  boards  —  One  com- 
missioner in  their  place  —  Illinois  history  —  Historical  remi- 
niscences of  first  railroad  completed  in  the  Mississippi  Valley 

—  AVho  rode  on  first  train  —  The  first  engineer  —  First  rail- 
road built  in  United  States  in  1826  — First  railroad  from  Chi- 
cago—  The  author's  first  railroad  ride  —  Historical  narrative 
resumed  —  Hard  times  of  1842  —  Author's  experience  of  them 

—  Gov.  Carlin's  term  expires  —  Returns  to  his  farm  —  Elected 
to  legislature — His  death. 

Following  out  conclusions  from  results  we  may  safely 
state  that  the  people,  at  the  election  of  1838,  still  cherished 
"great  expectations77  for  the  future  of  their  grand  system 
of  internal  improvements.  Most  of  the  old  members  of  the 
legislature  were  re-elected,  showing  that  the  people,  their 
constituents,  endorsed  their  action.^  Both  candidates  for 
governor  were  supposed  to  be  favorable  to  the  system,  as 
4 


50  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

one  openly  avowed  and  the  other  tacitly  admitted  it.  To 
the  successful  candidate  we  propose  to  devote  this  chapter. 
Thomas  Carlin  was  born  near  Frankfort,  Ky.,  July  18, 
1 789,  of  Irish  extraction.  His  educational  advantages  were 
limited.  To  make  up  for  this  deficiency  when  he  attained 
manhood  he  became  a  student,  closely  applying  all  his 
leisure  time  —  himself  being  his  own  tutor. 

In  1803  his  father  removed  to  Missouri,  where  he  died 
in  1810.     In  1812,  when  twenty-three  years  old,  he  came 
to  Illinois,  volunteered  his  service  as  a  ranger,  and,  as  the 
old  military  records  of  the  state  show,  was  engaged  in  vari- 
ous branches  of  the  service,  making  a  good  record  as  a  sol- 
dier.    He  married,  in  1814,  Rebecca  Huitt,  and  resided  on 
the  Mississippi,  opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Missouri,  four 
years,  when  he  removed  to  Greene  county.     He  was  one  of 
the  pioneers  of  that  county,  laid  out  Carrollton,  and  when 
the  county  seat  was  located  there,  irade  liberal  donations  of 
land  for  the  county  buildings.     He  was  the  first  sheriff  of 
Greene  county,  and  afterwards  served  two  terms  in  the  legis- 
lature.    In  the  Black  Hawk  war  his  former  effective  ser- 
vices as  a  "  ranger "  were  remembered,  and   he   was  given 
command  of  a  spy  battalion,  and  acquitted   himself   gal- 
lantly at  his  post  of  danger.     In  1834  President  Jackson 
appointed  him  receiver  of  public  moneys  at  Quincy,  and  he 
removed  there.     He   was  attending  to  the  duties  of  this 
office  when,  in  1838,  the  shafts  of  a  democratic  nomination 
for  governor  struck  him  like  a  lightning  stroke,  unexpect- 
edly,  he   having  no    aspirations   or   expectations    in   that 
direction. 

He  is  described  in  history  as  a  "democrat  of  the 
straightest  sect,"  "  unyielding,  if  not  obstinate  in  disposi- 
tion, and  possessed,  in  private  life,  an  unblemished  reputa- 


THOMAS    CARLIN.  51 


tion."  "Above  the  medium  height,  light  complexion,  spare 
looking  lace,  high  forehead,  long  nose,  thin  lips,  giving  his 
mouth  a  compressed  appearance,  indicating  firmness."  As 
we  indicated,  he  did  not  aspire  to  official  position,  but  when 
the  summons  came  he  was  not  unmindful  of  the  call  of  the 
people,  believing  "  that  the  voice  of  the  people  was  the  voice 
of  God."  He  was  elected,  and  upon  assuming  the  duties 
of  his  office  he  very  unmistakably  advocated  a  vigorous 
prosecution  of  the  system  of  internal  improvements  that 
had  been  inaugurated.  He  says  "  The  signal  success  which 
has  attended  our  sister  states  in  the  construction  of  their 
extensive  systems  of  improvements  can  leave  no  doubt  of 
the  wise  policy  and  utility  of  such  works.  They  furnish 
the  farmer  the  means  of  transporting  the  products  of  his 
labor  to  market."  He  thought  they  tended  to  "  stimulate 
the  enterprise  and  industry  of  the  people."  "  In  the  prin- 
ciples and  policy  of  this  plan,  contrasted  with  that  of  joint 
stock  companies  and  private  corporations,  I  fully  concur," 
concluding  the  sentence  by  saying  "that  the  character  and 
credit  of  the  State  forbid  its  abandonment." 

The  new  legislature  seconded  the  recommendation  of 
the  executive,  made  further  appropriations  and  authorized 
additional  works,  involving  an  outlay  of  near  one  million 
dollars.  The  governor  was  also  authorized  to  negotiate  a 
loan  of  $4,000,000  to  prosecute  the  work  on  the  canal. 

The  legislature,  in  their  every  act,  held  firmly  to  the 
policy  of  the  state  owning  all  the  public  works.  This  was 
in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the  governor, 
and  promised  unity  of  action.  The  governor,  thus  en- 
couraged, proceeded  to  appoint  ex-Go v.  Reynolds  as  special 
agent  to  effect  a  loan  in  the  interest  of  the  prosecution  of 
the  public  works.  He,  with  Senator  Young,  whom  Rey- 


52  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

nolds  requested  to  be  associated  with  him,  in  their  anxiety 
to  raise  money  to  carry  on  the  state  works,  made  some  very 
ill-advised  and  bungling  loans,  their  conditions  subjecting 
the  state  to  heavy  losses. 

Of  these  transactions  the  house  judiciary  committee, 
reporting  Jan.  29,  1840,  says:  "The  anxiety  of  the  agents 
to  procure  money  for  the  state,  or  their  eagerness  to  suc- 
ceed in  effecting  sales  where  others  had  failed,  induced 
them  to  enter  into  contracts  injurious  to  the  best  interests 
of  the  state,  derogatory  to  her  dignity,  and  in  every  way 
calculated  to  depreciate  her  securities." 

Here  was  a  legislative  rebuke  to  the  commissioners 
who  made  these  reckless  and  wasteful  loans.  It  showed 
that  the  infatuation  of  the  people's  representatives  began  to- 
be  enlightened  by  the  rays  of  financial  light,  and  that  the 
people  were  beginning  to  clamor  at  all  points.  These 
echoes  from  the  people  showed  that  in  one  short  year's 
time  a  total  revolution  had  been  effected  in  the  minds  of 
legislature  and  people. 

Gov.  Carlin  felt  the  force  of  this  change  in  public  sen- 
timent. The  magnitude  of  the  system  became  appalling 
to  him,  and  the  legislature  was  convened  Dec.  9,  1839, 
in  extra  session.  On  their  convening,  the  governor 
invoked  the  exercise  of  careful  and  calm  consideration  of 
the  entire  field,  by  wisdom  and  in  unity  of  action,  in  the 
adoption  of  such  reforms  as  would  promote  the  welfare  of 
the  state.  This  was  the  same  body  of  men, — the  same 
legislators,  who  but  a  short  year  before  endorsed  the  whole 
stupendous  system,  and  added  new  works  costing  one 
million  dollars,  now  met,  and  asked  to  place  the  seal  of 
condemnation  upon  measures  they  had  so  exultiugly 
adopted.  This  was  humiliating;  they  hesitated,  doubtful 


THOMAS    CART.IN.  53 


what  course  to  pursue.  It  was  "bad  medicine"  to  ask  the 
assembled  wisdom  of  the  state  to  take.  We  cannot  say 
they  "  came  up  smiling"  to  the  work,  but  they  did  it.  The 
disagreeable  task  was  performed,  and  the  work  of  disman- 
tling the  towering  edifice  that  stood  a  monument  of  the 
ruined  hopes  and  ambitions  of  the  members  and  the  specu- 
lating lobby  and  contractors,  was  commenced.  The  board 
of  fund  commissioners  and  commissioners  of  public  works 
were  abolished.  By  a  new  act,  one  fund  commissioner  was 
provided  to  perform  the  same  duties,  "except  that  he  shall 
not  be  authorized  to  sell  state  bonds  or  borrow  money  on 
behalf  of  the  state."  In  short,  the  duties  of  this  commis- 
sioner were  to  gather  up  the  remnants  of  the  wrecked  sys- 
tem that  was  imposing  a  debt,  if  pursued  to  the  end  of  the 
year,  of  §21,746,444,  at  an  annual  interest  of  $1,310,776. 
His  duties  were  to  receive  and  take  charge  of  the  railroad 
iron  purchased  in  Europe,  pay  the  duty  on  it;  receive  back 
all  bonds  from  parties  failing  to  comply  with  their  contracts, 
register  and  burn  the  same ;  audit  and  settle  the  accounts  of 
the  late  board  of  fund  commissioners  and  the  late  board  of 
public  works,  and  bring  suit  against  each  member  in  ar- 
rears, if  any  such  should  be.  This  was  a  regular  wrecker's 
business  that  he  was  to  be  employed  at,  gathering  up  the 
debris.  It  would  be  called  a  receivership  at  this  day. 
Thus  these  memorials  of  supreme  legislative  folly  were  to 
be  gathered  in,  "that  the  ability  and  resources  of  the 
state"  had  been  pledged  for.  We  have  said  what  the  debt 
of  the  state  would  have  been  if  this  wild  system  had  been 
continued  to  the  end  of  the  year.  By  stopping  at  once,  as 
was  done,  the  debt  was  actually  confined  to  §14,237,348. 
The  history  continues :  "  In  1840,  after  a  short  but  event- 
ful life  of  less  than  three  years,  fell,  by  the  hands  of  its 


54  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

creator,  the  most  stupendous,  extravagant,  and  almost  ruin- 
ous folly  of  a  grand  system  of  internal  improvements  that 
any  community  ever  engaged  in.  While  great  disappoint- 
ment pervaded  the  people  at  the  failure  of  the  splendid 
scheme,  they  were  not  surprised  nor  crushed  at  the  news  of 
its  repeal.  Indeed,  their  sobered  senses  had  for  some  time 
taught  them  that  to  this  extremity  it  must  come  at  last,  and 
they  felt  that  sort  of  relief  a  man  feels  at  the  loss  of  half  his 
fortune  —  he  has  learned  his  fate  and  is  thankful  it  is  no 
worse;  possibly  he  learns  a  profitable  lesson  at  the  same 
time.  While  the  people  felt  chagrined  there  was  no  one 
to  blame  in  great  part  but  themselves,  for  in  many  cases 
their  representatives  had  but  obeyed  the  voice  of  the  people. 
Many  names,  since  prominent,  honored  and  great,  are  re- 
corded in  favor  of  the  original  passage  of  the  measure,  as 
may  be  seen  by  reference  to  the  Journal  of  1837  :  Stuve's 
and  Daveson's  History  of  Illinois,  Page  448.  The  work 
on  the  canal  still  continued,  of  which  mention  is  made  in 
another  part  of  this  work.  A  portion  of  what  was  styled 
at  that  tkne  in  magniloquent  language,  when  giving 
titles,  and  to  ornament  the  headlines  of  the  statutes  of  the 
state  and  the  journals  of  legislative  proceedings,  "The 
Northern  Cross  Railroad,"  described  as  running  from 
Meredosia  to  Springfield,  was  finished  at  a  cost  to  the  state 
of  $1,000,000.  Of  this  we  wish  to  record  our  "recollec- 
tion," as  it  was  the  first  completed  portion,  part  or  parcel, 
of  a  railroad  in  the  Mississippi  Valley.  We  make  special 
mention  of  it.  We  were  not  there,  but  we  read  the  pro- 
ceedings in  the  papers  at  the  time.  Eight  miles  of  this 
"Northern  Cross"  was  completed  in  1838,  the  first  rail  be- 
ing laid  May  9th.  On  the  8th  of  November  following,  the 
first  locomotive  that  ever  turned  a  wheel  in  the  great  valley 


THOMAS   CARLIN.  65 


of  the  Mississippi  was  put  on  the  track  of  this  road  at 
Meredosia.  George  W.  Plant,  of  St.  Louis,  was  the  en- 
gineer-in-chief.  The  practical  man  at  the  throttle  valve, 
however,  was  William  H.  Delph,  who  continued  in  the 
service  of  the  road  after  the  inauguration.  The  locomo- 
tive ran  over  the  track  eight  miles  and  back,  carrying  Gov. 
Duncan,  Murray  McConnell,  one  of  the  commissioners  of 
the  Public  Works,  James  Dunlap  and  Thomas  I.  January, 
contractors,  Charles  Collins  and  Myrom  Leslie,  of  St. 
Louis,  and  the  chief  engineer,  Mr.  Plant. 

Of  some  of  the  participants  in  the  inauguration  and 
operation  of  the  first  railroad  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  see 
sketch  of  Gov,  Duncan  in  this  volume.  Hon.  Murray 
McConnell,  member  of  the  house,  and  afterward  of  the 
state  senate  in  the  legislature  of  this  state,  was  mysteri- 
ously murdered  in  his  private  office,  attached  to  his  resi- 
dence at  Jacksonville,  several  years  ago. .  Mr.  Plant  became 
a  prominent  business  man  of  St.  Louis.  Col.  Dunlap,  a 
prominent  man  of  Jacksonville,  was  enterprising  in  build- 
ing up  the  interests  of  that  city,  and  the  founder  of  the 
Dunlap  House.  Mr.  Delph,  when  he  quit  railroad  engi- 
neering, removed  to  Woodford  county,  in  this  state,  where 
for  some  years  he  operated  an  engine  in  a  saw  mill.  He 
was  appointed  postmaster  at  Metamora  in  1861,  by  Mr. 
Lincoln,  and  held  the  office  sixteen  years,  resigning  in  1877, 
owing  to  old  age,  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Mary  1C.  Gaynor, 
being  appointed  to  succeed  him.  Of  the  other  notables 
mentioned  we  have  not  traced  their  history.  Mr.  Delph's 
description  of  the  first  propelling  engine  is  humorous,  any- 
thing the  imagination  can  conceive  of  except  the  perfect 
locomotive  now  in  use.  The  engine  would  sometimes 


56  FIFTY    YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

break  down  or  give  out,  and  after  a  while  finally  was  thrown 
aside  as  a  failure  and  mules  substituted  in  its  place. 

In  passing,  to  keep  in  mind  historical  data,  we  remem- 
ber that  only  twelve  years  before  this,  in  1826,  the  first 
railroad  in  the  United  States  was  built,  connecting  Albany, 
Troy  and  Schenectady,  in  New  York.  We  remember  rid- 
ding over  this  same  road  in  1866,  but  not  the  primitive  flat 
strap  rail,  and  the  coach-carriage-like  looking  cars  of  1826, 
when  the  railroad  system  of  the  United  States  was  first  inaug- 
urated. Illinois,  in  the  crash  of  the  internal  improvement 
system  of  1838-39-40,  received  a  set  back —  a  check  in  rail- 
road building  for  eleven  years,  before  another  railroad  was 
built  in  1849  from  Chicago  to  Cottage  Grove,  a  distance  of 
twenty  miles,  as  the  author  remembers  taking  his  first 
railroad  ride  between  these  two  points  in  September  of 
that  year.  This  track  was  completed  to  Elgin  in  1850, 
then  called  the  "  Galena  &  Chicago  Railroad,"  but  now,  a 
part  of  the  grand  system  of  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern 
lines. 

Historians  sometimes  make  a  digression  to  keep  in  view 
prominent  facts,  and  our  readers  will  pardon  this  lengthy 
one  for  the  same  reason.  It,  at  one  glance,  brings  to 
view  the  beginnings  and  advance  made  in  railroad  build- 
ing in  our  state.  Resuming  the  historical  thread  of  events 
in  Governor  Carlin's  administration  brings  us  to  1841, 
when,  by  various  arrangements  and  financial  schemes  the 
interest  on  the  canal  debt  was  paid,  but  not  on  the  gen- 
eral internal  improvement  fund  debt.  Much  difference  of 
opinion  existed  among  the  financiers  in  regard  to  the  best 
means  of  preserving  the  financial  credit  of  the  state.  Some 
thought  the  irregular  and  illegal  loans  and  hypothecation  of 
bonds  made  by  state  agents  Reynolds  and  Young,  should 


THOMAS    CARLIN.  57 


not  draw  interest  further  than  actual  cash  received,  while 
others  contended  that  interest  was  due  on  their  full  face. 
It  was  during  this  year  that  Fund-Commissioner  Whiteside 
hypothecated  eight  hundred  and  four  thousand  dollars  worth 
of  bonds,  receiving  therefor  only  two  hundred  and  sixty-one 
thousand  four  hundred  and  sixty  dollars,  less  than  one-third 
their  face,  and  the  ^transaction  gave  rise  to  the  endless 
discussions  that  came  in  each  succeeding  legislature  for 
many  years  afterwards  in  regard  to  the  payment  of  same. 
This  year,  and  the  year  1842,  were  the  gloomiest  times,  per- 
haps, in  the  history  of  Illinois  finances,  the  state  bonds 
going  down  to  fourteen  cents  on  the  dollar. 

In  February,  1842,  from  causes  already  stated,  the  state 
bank,  with  a  circulation  of  $3,000,000,  went  down;  in  June 
the  Illinois  bank  at  Shawneetown,  with  a  circulation  of 
over  $1,500,000,  broke,  thus  rendering  worthless  the  only 
money  there  was  in  the  country,  making  the  pressure 
of  the  times  so  great  that  it  is  difficult,  at  this  day,  to  make 
people  realize  the  hardship  of  home  living  expenses,  and  to 
raise  money  to  pay  taxes.  The  products  were  only  saleable 
for  "  store  pay,"  and  at  small  prices  at  that.  The  author, 
at  that  time  farming,  remembers  that  when  a  St.  Louis 
•dealer  in  corn  passed  up  the  Illinois  river  on  a  steamboat, 
leaving  word  at  the  towns  as  he  passed  that  for  all  the  corn 
the  farmers  would  have  ready  to  ship  by  time  the  boat  re- 
turned he  would  pay  ten  cents  per  bushel — in  cash  —  there 
was  a  hustling  to  and  fro  amongst  the  farmers  to  get  all 
they  could  to  Henry  before  the  return  of  the  boat,  we 
among  the  number,  delivered  two  wagon  loads,  about  fifty 
bushels,  receiving  five  dollars  for  it.  The  fall  thereafter 
we  employed  a  neighbor,  Mr.  Henry  W.  Lowry,  to  haul 
two  loads  of  the  choicest  winter  wheat  to  Chicago,  paying 


58  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

him  twenty  cents  a  bushel  for  the  service.  He  sold  the 
wheat  for  forty-one  cents  per  bushel,  paying  us  on  his 
return  twenty-one  cents  per  bushel,  cash,  for  our  part.  We 
only  note  these  personal  recollections  because  they  were 
home  truths  at  the  time,  so  impressed  on  our  memory  from 
the  hardness  of  the  times  that  we  cannot  forget  them. 

This  year  of  hard  times  brings  our  history  up  to  the 
close  of  Governor  Carlin's  administration.  He  was  a  kind, 
well  meaning  man,  "  did  the  best  he  could  "  with  the  war- 
ring financial  elements  around  him,  who  were  "  a-pulling 
and  a-hauling"  to  maintain  their  ascendancy,  and  get  all 
they  could  from  the  bankrupt  treasury  of  the  state.  At  the 
close  of  his  term  of  office,  in  December,  1842,  he  gladly 
gave  place  to  Gov.  Ford,  whose  career  we  will  trace  in  the 
next  chapter.  He  retired  to  his  farm  at  Carrollton,  only 
emerging  from  private  life  to  serve  out  an  unexpired  term 
of  J.  D.  Fry,  in  1849,  in  the  House  of  Representatives. 
He  died  February  14,  1852,  in  his  sixty-third  year,  leaving 
a  wife  and  seven  children,  out  of  thirteen  born  to  them. 
Some  of  his  sons  have  attained  distinction  in  both  military 
and  civil  life,  whom  we  may  have  occasion  to  notice  in  this 
or  a  succeeding  volume. 


THOMAS  FORD. 


SEVENTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 


Dreary  outlook  when  elected  —  His  birth  —  Early  death  of  his- 
father  —  His  mother  moves  west  —  Her  poverty  —  Thomas' 
limited  educational  facilities  —  Goes  to  Transylvania  Univer- 
sity—  Returns  and  studies  law  —  Admitted  to  practice  —  Is 
successful  —  Elected  prosecuting  attorney  —  Election  as 
judge  —  Personal  mention  —  Judge  of  Chicago  courts  — 
Elected  supreme  judge  — Nomination  and  election  as  gov- 
ernor—  Official  characteristics — Defines  his  state  policy  — 
Approved  by  the  people  — Builds  up  the  state  credit—  Mer- 
man and  Mexican  wars  —  What  was  accomplished  in  four 
years  —  A  brief  recapitulation  —  Personal  appearance  —  His 
ability  as  a  writer  —  Did  not  care  for  money  —  Extract  from 
last  message  —  His  death. 

Perhaps  no  man  was  ever  called  to  the  gubernatorial 
chair  at  a  more  important  epoch  in  the  financial  history  of 
our  state  than  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  It  was  at  a  time 
when,  from  the  effects  of  the  reckless  financial  legislation  of 
the  two  previous  state  administrations,  our  credit  was- 
a  wreck,  and  its  fragments  were  floating  on  the  sea  of  bank- 
ruptcy and  ruin.  It  was  the  culmination  of  a  saturnalia  of 
eight  years  of  the  most  wild  and  visionary  schemes  of 
finance  and  state  improvement  ever  devised  since  the  days 
of  John  .  Law  and  his  system  of  aggrandizement  in  the 
palmy  days  of  the  Mississippi  bubble. 

In  other  places  in  our  work  these  schemes  and  systems 
are  more  fully  dwelt  upon,  and  it  is  not  our  purpose  to  in- 
dulge to  a  great  extent  in  recapitulation. 


FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 


Thomas  Ford  was  a  Pennsylvania!!,  born  at  Uniontown 
in  1800.  His  father,  Robert  Ford,  was  killed  by  the  In- 
dians in  1802,  when  Thomas  was  an  infant,  leaving  his 
mother  with  very  limited  means  and  a  large  family,  mostly 
girls.  She  had  been  married  twice,  her  first  husband's 
name  was  Forquer,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  children 
bore  that  name.  With  this  large  family  she  emigrated  to 
Missouri  in  1804,  going  to  St.  Louis  where  the  family  re- 
mained for  a  year  or  two,  having  much  sickness.  She  then 
removed  to  Monroe  county,  this  state,  settling  near  Water- 
loo, but  after  a  year  or  two  removed  closer  to  the  Missis- 
sippi river. 

At  this  place  Thomas,  with  his  step-brother  George 
Forquer,  received  their  first  schooling,  their  teacher  being 
a  Mr.  Humphrey.  Their  mother  was  a  good  manager,  en- 
ergetic, and  determined  to  give  the  boys  as  good  an  educa- 
tion as  strict  economy  and  industrious  application  would 
provide.  She  taught  them  to  be  upright  and  strictly  truth- 
ful, and  as  they  grew  older  inculcated  integrity  of  purpose 
as  the  ruling  principle  when  they  should  enter  on  a  business 
career.*  Thomas  received  rather  an  irregular  education; 
sometimes  he  had  opportunities  of  attending,  and  then  again 
the  necessities  of  laboring  for  the  support  of  the  family 
would  compel  him  to  quit  the  school  for  a  time.  But 
though  limited,  he  improved  his  opportunities  when  he 
•could,  and  became  quite  proficient  in  arithmetic,  was  known 
for  his  correctness  in  the  science  of  numbers,  and  was  a  fair 
penman.  At  this  time  his  older  brother,  who  had  set  up  in 
the  mercantile  business,  sent  Thomas  to  Transylvania  Uni- 
versity, where  he  spent  one  term,  his  means  not  being  suffi- 
cient to  take  a  full  course.  He  soon  after  entered  the  law 
office  of  Daniel  P.  Cook,  at  that  time  a  member  of  Con- 


THOMAS    FORD.  61 


gress.  In  his  legal  studies  he  gave  early  promise  of  the 
future  eminence  he  attained.  His  patron  and  friend,  Cook, 
encouraged  him,  placing  his  library  at  his  disposal. 

He  taught  school  a  portion  of  his  time,  and  then  re- 
turned to  his  law  books  until  his  attainments  procured  him 
an  admittance  to  practice.  He  soon  commanded  a  remu- 
nerative class  of  clients  and  attracted  considerable  attention, 
and  such  was  his  fame  that  in  1829  Gov.  Edwards  ap- 
pointed him  prosecuting  attorney,  and  in  1831  he  was  re- 
appointed  by  Gov.  Reynolds,  serving  out  his  second  term. 
He  was  afterwards  elected  judge. by  the  legislature. 

It  was  after  his  accession  to  the  bench  that  he  became  a 
frequent  visitor  at  father's  cabin,  thirty  miles  from  Peoria, 
on  the  road  to  Hennepin.  He  would  hold  court  till  the 
business  was  finished,  then  mount  his  horse  and  ride  tow- 
ards Hennepin,  Putnam  county,  his  next  appointment, 
spending  the  night  at  father's  place.  Very  frequently  he 
would  arrive  on  Saturday  evening,  stay  over  Sunday,  and 
ride  on  to  Hennepin  on  Monday  morning  in  time  to  open 
court. 

Judge  Ford  was  very  plain  and  unassuming  His 
clothes  were  not  strictly  after  the  latest  style,  nor  his  lan- 
guage the  most  ornate. 

He  was  sociable,  free  and  easy  with  all  the  household, 
so  his  visits  of  two  or  three  times  a  year  were  looked  for- 
ward to  with  considerable  pleasure. 

Although  he  was  an  uncompromising  Jackson  democrat, 
and  father  equally  so  as  a  whig,  they  were  personally  strong 
friends,  arguing  their  differences,  if  at  all,  very  pleasantly, 
and  this  friendship  continued  while  Judge  Ford  remained 
on  the  circuit. 

The  judicial  positions  he  held  were  two  terms  as  circuit 


FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 


judge,  one  term  as  judge  of  the  city  court  at  Chicago,  and 
one  term  as  supreme  judge,  with  circuit  duties  attached, 
altogether  occupying  near  ten  years  on  the  bench. 

As  a  jurist  he  was  sound.  He  was  imperturbable  on  the 
bench  keeping  the  members  of  the  bar  and  the  court  offi- 
cials well  in  hand.  His  decisions  on  points  of  law  were 
given  in  few  words,  and  attorneys  acquiesced,  receiving 
them  as  conclusive.  He  possessed  a  quiet,  sanguine,  deter- 
minate decision  that  eminently  fitted  him  to  sit  in  judgment 
on  matters  of  difference  between  men.  He  was  always  a 
student,  and  the  traits  of  his  mind  fitted  him  for  close 
thought.  He  had  not  the  insinuating  and  moving  power  of 
eloquence  of  the  professional  advocate,  but  as  a  writer  on 
law,  as  shown  in  his  opinions,  he  was  able,  easily  understood 
from  his  plainness  of  language,  lucid  and  sound  "argument. 
Such  was  Thomas  Ford  to  our  mind  when  he  was  called 
from  the  bench  to  govern  the  future  great  State  of  Illinois 
in  1842. 

As  we  have  intimated  in  the  outset,  the  financial  status 
of  the  state  "was  desperate.  Just  for  the  ordinary  expenses 
of  the  government  (not  to  mention  the  canal  debt,  bank 
debt,  and  internal  improvement  debt)  the  state  was  in  debt 
one-third  of  a  million  dollars.  Auditors'  warrants  were 
worth  only  fifty  per  cent.,  and  not  enough  money  in  the 
treasury  to  pay  postage  on  official  correspondence.  The 
people  were  unable,  if  ever  so  willing,  to  pay  high  taxes. 
The  state  had  borrowed  itself  out  of  all  credit.  The 
currency  of  the  state  had  been  annihilated;  the  whole 
people  were  indebted  to  the  merchants,  the  merchants  to  the 
banks,  the  banks  owed  everybody,  —  none  able  to  pay,  — 
what  could  be  more  discouraging. 

But  it  is  not  our  intention  to  follow  out  in   detail  all 


THOMAS    FORD.  63 


these  financial  sinuosities.  Those  that  are  curious  for  such 
details  are  referred  to  the  official  records.  They  are  only 
mentioned  in  this  connection  to  show  what  a  burden  his 
predecessor  laid  down  in  his  path  for  the  new  governor  to 
take  up,  and  he  approached  the  task  with  a  manful  spirit. 
In  his  first  utterance  —  his  message  —  he  says  :  "  We  must 
convince  our  creditors  and  the  world  that  the  disgrace  of 
repudiation  is  not  countenanced  among  us  —  that  we  are 
honest  and  mean  to  pay  as  soon  as  we  are  able." 

This  honest  declaration  had  its  effect.  The  creditors  of 
the  state  now  understood  that  there  was  an  honest  man  at 
the  helm;  that  a  fertile  brain  was  at  work  to  devise  ways  to 
lift  the  state  out  of  the  embarrassing  circumstances  with 
which  it  was  encumbered,  and  they  were  willing  to  watch 
and  wait  to  hear  propositions  and  discuss  them. 

During  his  administration  the  Mormon  war  occurred, 
with  the  exit  of  a  large  portion  of  that  deluded  people  from 
the  state,  after  their  prophet  Joe  Smith  had  suffered  death 
by  a  mob. 

During  the  latter  part  of  his  administration  the  Mexican 
war  was  inaugurated,  and  vigorous  measures  were  taken  to 
furnish  Illinois7  quota  of  men  "to  conquer  a  peace,"  and 
some  important  battles  were  fought  during  the  summer,  fall 
and  fore  part  of  the  winter  of  1846,  and  the  forces  on  the 
border  were  marching  towards  the  interior  of  Mexico  when 
he  delivered  over  the  reins  of  government  to  his  successor 
in  December  of  that  year. 

To  give  a  hasty  resume  of  the  "  now  and  then,"  the 
"Alpha  and  Omega"  of  his  administration,  comparing  the 
opening  view  with  the  closing,  shows  the  financial  status  of 
the  state  to  be  in  December,  1846,  as  follows:  Instead  of 
the  domestic  debt  for  the  ordinary  expenses  of  the  state, 


64  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

which  was,  as  we  have  stated,  near  a  third  of  a  million  dol- 
lars, we  find  it  reduced  to  $31,212.  When  he  came  into 
office  there  was  no  money  to  pay  postage  on  necessary  offi- 
cial correspondence  —  he  leaves  on  retiring  $9,260  in  the 
treasury ;  then,  auditor's  warrants  were  worth  only  fifty 
per  cent. ;  when  he  retired  they  were  worth  ninety  per  cent. 
Then,  the  people  were  hopelessly  in  debt;  when  he  retired 
they  were  mostly  free  from  debt.  Then,  the  bank  currency 
had  been  annihilated;  when  he  retired  the  banks  had  been 
put  in  liquidation,  their  depreciated  currency  retired,  and 
replaced  by  a  reasonable  abundance  of  specie  and  the  issue 
of  solvent  banks  from  other  states.  By  exchanging  bank 
stock  of  the  state  for  bonds,  and  the  sale  of  public  property, 
about  $3,000,000  had  been  extinguished,  and  by  the  canal, 
to  be  completed  the  next  year,  $5,000,000  more  was  effect- 
ually provided  for  in  the  enhanced  value  of  the  canal  prop- 
erty ;  being  a  reduction  of  some  $8,000,000,  extinguished 
and  provided  for,  thus  showing  that  the  state — which  was 
on  the  brink  of  repudiation,  and  discredited  throughout  the 
civilized  world  —  had,  during  his  administration,  its  credit 
greatly  restored,  and  enabled  to  borrow  $1,600,000  to  com- 
plete the  canal. 

This  is  but  a  brief  recapitulation  of  what  his  firmness 
and  honesty  of  purpose  wrought  out  for  the  state  in  the  four 
years  he  stood  at  the  helm. 

Gov.  Ford,  in  his  personality,  was  short  in  stature, 
slender,  dark  complexioned,  heavy  dark  hair,  deep  set  eyes, 
sharp  nose  and  small  mouth. 

His  writings  very  forcibly  expressed  his  thoughts,  show- 
ing that  he  was  an  accurate  observer  of  his  own  times,  and 
related  events  truly,  describing  them  correctly  from  his  just 
convictions  and  the  standpoint  from  which  he  viewed  them. 


THOMAS    CAP.LIN.  65 


Soft  veins  of  clay  he  may  have  had  running  through  the 
iron  composition  of  his  nature  —  few  men  that  do  not  have 
them  —  but  taking  him  all  in  all,  he  was  the  best  man  for 
the  time  and  for  the  state  during  the  time  he  held  execu- 
tive sway  that  could  have  been  selected.  It  can  truly  be  said 
of  him  that  in  his  care  for  the  state  he  totally  neglected  his 
own  financial  interests.  "  For  money  getting  he  cared  for 
little  more  than  would  afford  him  a  decent  support  and 
scarcely  that;  He  accumulated  no  wealth,  and  on  his  re- 
tirement from  office  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law?'* 

He  says  in  his  valedictory  message  :  "  Without  having 
indulged  in  wasteful  or  extravagant  habits  of  living,  I  re- 
tire from  office  poorer  than  I  came  in,  and  go  to  private 
life  with  a  full  determination  not  to  seek  again  any  place  in 
the  government."  He  died  at  Peoria,  Nov.  2,  1850,  in 
very  indigent  circumstances. 

*Davidson  and  Stuve's  History  of  Illinois,  1873. 


AUGUSTUS  0.  FRENCH. 


EIGHTH   GOVERNOR  OF   ILLINOIS. 


Introductory  reflection  —  Nativity,  parentage,  birth  and  educa- 
tional advantages  —  Death  of  parents  —  Care  of  brothers  and 
sister  — His  self-sacrifice  —  Attends  college  —  Beads  law  — 
Removes  to  Illinois  —  Admitted  to  practice  law  —  Elected  to 
the  legislature  —  Receiver  of  public  moneys  —  Elected  gov- 
ernor in  1846  — Assumes  the  helm  of  state  —  Constitutional 
convention  —  His  characteristics  —  Funding  the  state  debt  — 
Recommendations  adopted  —  Sale  of  railroad  —  What  the  con- 
vention did  —  Low  salaries — Most  rigid  economy  —  Consti- 
tution adopted  by  the  people  —  Change  in  time  of  holding 
election  —  Large  donations  of  land  to  the  state  —  Emigration 
increasing  —  Mexican  soldiers'  bounty  lands  — Gov.  French 
retires  from  office  —  Public  positions  held  afterwards  —  Mem- 
ber constitutional  convention  in  1862. 

We  have  now  arrived  at  a  period  in  the  history  of  the 
state  when  the  citizen  could  proudly  hold  up  his  head  and 
point  to  honest  endeavor  on  the  part  of  state  officers  to 
exalt  the  financial  credit,  and  provide  the  means  for  paying 
indebtedness,  though  recklessly  incurred  and  the  proceeds 
squandered  in  unprofitable  projects. 

Augustus  C.  French,  whose  administration  opened  in 
December,  1846,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Hill,  New  Hamp- 
shire, August  2,  1808.  He  was  descended  from  Nathaniel 
French,  who  emigrated  from  England  in  1687  and  settled 
in  Saybury,  Mass.  While  yet  a  child  he  lost  his  father, 
when  the  entire  care  of  the  family,  their  education  and 


AUGUSTUS    C.  FRENCH.  67 

support,  devolved  on  the  mother,  an  excellent  woman  of 
rare  Christian  patience  and  fortitude,  who  added  to  these 
virtues  rare  business  qualities,  good  sense  and  judgment. 
Augustus  was  taught  by  his  exemplary,  industrious,  and  in- 
telligent mother  the  rudiments  of  a  fair  education.  His 
exertions  were  necessary  in  earning  a  portion  of  the  living, 
so  that  he  could  not  go  from  home  to  school.  When  he 
was  nineteen  years  old  his  mother  died,  leaving  to  his  care 
four  younger  brothers  and  one  sister.  He  was  both  a 
parent  and  a  brother  to  the  orphans.  His  education  came 
to  him  by  piece  meal.  He  attended  a  common  school  irr 
regularly,  and  when  sufficiently  advanced,  went  for  a  brief 
period  to  Dartmouth  College.  For  the  reason  that  his 
pecuniary  means  were  absorbed  by  the  care  of  his  brothers 
and  sister,  he  could  not  graduate,  but  his  brief  attendance 
was  a  great  help  to  him,  giving  him  an  idea  of  his  capabili- 
ties. 

With  his  other  reading  he  read  law,  and  discov- 
ered his  genius  and  adaptability  to  that  profession.  He 
was  admitted  to  practice,  and  like  a  great  many  other 
young  men,  thinking  that  an  entirely  new  field  was  the  best 
to  develope  his  powers,  came  to  Illinois  and  opened  an 
office  first  at  Albion,  Edwards  county.  Desiring  a  more 
extensive  field,  the  following  year  he  removed  to  Paris, 
Edgar  county,  and  at  once  stepped  into  a  lucrative  practice 
and  eminence  in  his  profession.  He  entered  public  life 
by  his  election  to  the  legislature.  Here  he  met  Stephen 
A.  Douglas,  and  a  strong  attachment  sprang  up  between 
them.  In  1839  he  was  appointed  receiver  of  public 
moneys  at  Palestine,  Crawford  county,  and  resided  there 
when  he  was  elected  as  governor. 

He  was  the  Polk  and  Dallas  elector  in  1844.     His  can- 


FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 


didacy  for  governor,  in  1846,  was  just  at  the  opening  of 
the  Mexican  war.  It  was  popular  and  he  was  favorable  to 
it,  and  it  bore  him  into  office  by  a  large  majority.  His 
predecessor,  Gov.  Ford,  had  organized  order  out  of  chaos, 
financially,  and  prepared  the  way  for  the  completion  of  the 
canal,  which  followed  in  May,  1848,  and  the  state  was  set- 
tling up  with  unprecedented  rapidity.  It  was  just  the 
time  to  expand  a  man's  ideas  of  statesmanship,  both  state 
and  national.  Our  state  was  just  emerging  from  the  throes 
of  bankruptcy  and  planting  herself  on  the  solid  basis  of 
financial  credit,  and  the  nation  was  extending  its  domain 
by  the  acquisitions  made  by  the  Mexican  war,  of  California, 
with  all  of  its  mineral  wealth  of  gold  and  silver,  and  its 
lands,  the  finest  wheat  and  fruit  producing  in  the  world. 
There  was  a  bedrock  solidity  for  future  foundations  on 
which  to  build  up  a  permanent  prosperity.  It  was  under 
this  administration  that  a  new  constitution,  the  fundamental 
law  of  the  land,  was  to  be  formulated  by  the  assembling  of 
a  State  Constitutional  Convention,  composed  of  the  ablest, 
wisest,  and,  thought  to  be  at  the  time,  the  most  honest 
men  of  the  State. 

At  such  a  time,  December,  1846,  we  introduce  Augustus- 
C.  French  as  governor  of  the  future  great  state  of  Illinois, 
just  in  his  prime,  thirty-eight  years  old,  of  medium  height, 
well-proportioned,  light  complexioned,  ruddy  face  and 
pleasant  countenance,  plain  of  manner,  "  agreeable,  of  easy 
approach  by  the  most  humble,  neither  office  nor  position 
changed  him  in  his  bearing  towards  those  he  had  met  while 
in  the  more  humble  walks  of  life."  He  was  of  a  modest, 
retiring  disposition,  at  times  it  might  almost  be  called  diffi- 
dence and  timidity,  yet  when  the  occasion  demanded,  he  was 
out-spoken  and  firm  to  convictions  of  duty  on  all  public 


AUGUSTUS   C.   FRENCH.  69 

questions.  He  was  chaste,  earnest  and  persuasive  as  a 
speaker,  not  seeking  to  make  a  display  in  the  higher  arts 
of  oratory,  in  business  he  had  proved  himself  accurate 
and  methodical,  and,  as  the  executive  of  the  state,  was  yet 
to  prove  himself  a  man  of  affairs,  a  prudent  and  discreet 
economist,  honest  and  conscientious.  It  was  fortunate,  at 
this  peculiar  juncture  of  affairs,  that  a  man  of  his  peculiar 
genius,  common  sense,  vigilance,  and  conscientious  convic- 
tions of  duty,  was  placed  at  the  helm.  We  have  said  that 
the  pecuniary  embarrassments  entailed  ten  years  previous 
were  put  in  shape  to  be  gradually  extinguished,  the  credit 
of  the  state  had  been  in  a  measure  restored,  but  it  still  re- 
quired a  clear,  careful,  executive  brain  to  bring  order  out 
of  the  confusion,  and  a  steady  hand  at  the  helm  of  state. 

To  commence  on,  he  recommended  the  registration  and 
funding  of  the  debts.  The  exact  amount  could  only  be 
fixed  to  a  certainty  by  calling  on  those  holding  indebted- 
ness to  make  an  exhibit  of  it,  arrange  the  rate  of  interest 
and  the  time  of  future  payments,  then  legislate  to  provide 
the  fund  to  meet  it.  The  canal  debt  having  been  provided 
for,  the  residue  of  all  bonds  or^  scrip  should  be  converted 
into  uniform  transferable  stock.  The  legislature  agreed 
to  these  views,  passed  two  funding  acts,  one  authorizing  the 
funding  of  the  state  bonds,  and  the  other  funding  the  state 
scrip,  with  accrued  interest  on  the  debt.  By  this  process, 
by  1850,  the  entire  state  debt,  excluding  canal  debt,  was 
refunded  in  uniform  securities,  which  greatly  simplified  the 
debt.  This  was  satisfactory  to  the  state  and  the  holders  of 
the  indebtedness. 

In  1847  Gov.  French  recommended  the  sale  of  the 
Northern  Cross  Railroad,  from  Springfield  t6  Meredosia, 
(now  the  Wabash)  the  purchaser  paying  §100,000  for  it  in 


70  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

state  indebtedness.  When  built  it  cost  the  state  $1,000,000, 
a  loss  to  the  state  of  ninety  per  cent.  The  opening  of  this, 
nine  years  previous,  we  gave  an  account  of  in  a  former  chap- 
ter. The  salt  wells  and  canal  lands  granted  by  the  gen- 
eral government  to  the  state  were  sold,  and  state  indebt- 
edness paid  with  proceeds. 

We  have  mentioned  that  early  in  the  administration  of 
Gov.  French,  a  constitutional  convention  met.  The  mem- 
bers to  this  convention  were  elected  on  the  third  Monday 
of  April,  1847,  and  when  elected,  met  at  Springfield  on  the 
first  Monday  of  June  following.  The  membership  of  the 
convention  was  not  strongly  partizan,  the  members  taking 
a  practical  view  of  the  matter,  that  in  framing  the  new 
organic  law,  affecting  not  only  the  present  but  future  gen- 
erations, when  present  political  questions  would  be  obsolete, 
that  the  provisions  of  the  constitution  should  be  made  irre- 
spective of  party  predilections. 

Without  naming  them,  we  can  say  that  among  our 
acquaintances  in  that  convention  there  were  some  of  the 
purest  and  best  men  in  the  state,  belonging  to  both  of  the 
great  political  parties  of  that  day;  men  who  would  not 
sway  from  what  was  right  for  any  consideration  of  party 
advantage.  Up  to  that  time  a  foreigner  could  vote  after  a 
six  month's  residence,  the  same  as  a  native-born  citizen. 
This  was  changed  by  requiring  them  to  be  naturalized, 
and  all  citizens  to  reside  in  the  state  one  year  before 
being  entitled  to  vote.  Under  the  old  constitution  the 
judges  of  the  Supreme  and  Circuit  Courts  were  elected  by 
the  legislature,  as  was  the  states  attorney ;  under  the  new 
they  were  made  elective  by  the  people. 

These  Were  the  days  of  economy  and  reform.  People 
had  become  accustomed  to  do  a  great  deal  of  work  for  a 


AUGUSTUS   C.  FRENCH.  71 

little  pay,  to  sell  their  produce  for  a  small  price,  and  they 
exacted  of  their  servants  —  the  men  whom  they  elected  to 
office  —  to  do  the  same  thing;  to  work  for  the  honor  of 
holding  the  offices  and  serving  their  country. 

The  elective  principle  was  engrafted  so  that  every  office 
must  be  elective.  This  took  "  log  rolling"  and  party 
wrangling  from  the  legislature. 

Profiting  by  the  lessons  of  experience  that  had  saddled 
millions  of  debt  upon  the  people,  now  pressing  so  heavily  on 
them,  it  was  provided  that  no  debt  was  allowed  to  be  con- 
tracted by  the  legislature  exceeding  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
and  that  only  to  meet  casual  deficits  or  failure  in  revenue ; 
nor  was  the  credit  of  the  state  to  be  extended  to  any  indi- 
vidual, association,  or  corporation.  Article  fourteen,  separ- 
ately submitted,  provided  for  "  the  yearly  collection  of  a 
tax  of  two  mills  upon  the  dollar  in  addition  to  all  other 
taxes,  the  proceeds  of  which  were  to  be  paid  out  in  the  ex- 
tinguishment of  the  public  debt  other  than  the  canal  and 
school  indebtedness,  pro  rata  to  such  holders  as  might  pre- 
sent their  evidences." 

This  debt  provision  shows  that  the  members  of  the 
convention  were  honest  debt  payers,  and  that  they  believed 
the  people  were.  "  The  Judges  of  the  Supreme  and  Circuit 
Courts  were  made  ineligible  to  any  other  office  of  profit  or 
public  trust  in  this  state,  or  the  United  States,  during  the 
terms  for  which  they  were  elected." 

We  have  spoken  of  the  economical  features  of  the  new 
constitution,  showing  that  the  new  members  had  become 
accustomed  to  the  diminished  prices  of  the  times.  The 
salary  of  the  Governor  was  fixed  at  $1,500  per  annum, 
Supreme  Judges,  $1,200,  each,  Circuit  Judges,  $1,000  each, 
State  Auditor,  $1,000,  Secretary  of  State  and  Treasurer, 


72  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

each  $800,  members  of  the  General  Assembly,  $2  per  day 
for  forty  two  days  attendance,  then  $1  per  day  if  they 
remained  in  session  longer. 

Our  further  remarks  in  regard  to  the  new  constitution 
will  be  general.  The  members  had  succeeded  in  stamping 
the  result  of  their  labors,  —  the  new  constitution  —  with 
principles  that  both  parties  could  adopt.  The  elective 
principle,  as  applied  to  every  important  office,  was  a  thor- 
oughly democratic  idea.  "  The  people  had  ample  time  to 
consider  its  provisions  and  they  did  not  fail  to  see  its  great 
superiority  over  the  old  "organic  law." 

If  there  were  a  few  minor  points  that  did  not  fully  ac- 
cord with  their  views,  it  was  so  far  superior  to  the  old  they 
could  not  afford  to  throw  away  the  many  safe  and  excellent 
limitations  for  the  protection  of  the  public  interests  against 
the  chances  of  a  wild,  reckless  and  extravagant  legislature 
to  involve  them  in  ruin.  Taking  into  consideration  that 
the  advanced  ideas  of  the  present  day  did  not  then  prevail, 
the  labors  of  the  constitutional  convention  of  1847  was  a 
great  advance  from  the  year  1818.  The  vote  on  its  ratifi- 
cation or  rejection  was  taken  on  the  first  Monday  in  March, 
1848,  and  the  new  constitution  went  into  operation  the  first 
day  of  April  following. 

The  vote  stood  for  its  adoption  59,887 ;  against  adop- 
tion 15,859— making  the  majority  in  its  favor  44,028. 
For  adoption  of  Article  XV,  — 2  mill  tax,  41,017; 
against  it,  30,586,  making  the  majority  in  its  favor  10,431. 
The  first  election  under  the  new  constitution  took  place  the 
first  Tuesday  of  November,  1848.  This  was  the  year  that 
Taylor  and  Fillmore  were  elected  President  and  Vice-Pres- 
ident.  Gov.  French  was  re-elected.  By  the  new  consti- 
ution  the  time  for  holding  the  annual  election  was  changed 


AUGUSTUS    C.  FRENCH.  73 

from  first  Monday  in  August  to  first  Tuesday  in  November, 
each  year. 

The  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  legislature  was  changed 
from  first  Wednesday  in  December  to  first  Wednesday  in 
January,  each  biennial  year,  the  first  legislature  meeting  in 
January,  1849. 

Thus  a  year  of  happy  coincidences  was  inaugurated! 
The  new  constitution  was  adopted  in  March,  1848.  The 
Illinois  and  Michigan  canal  was  opened  the  latter  part  of 
April,  bringing  prosperity  and  a  healthy  advance  in  the 
markets  for  produce.  Canal  boats,  laden  at  Chicago, 
brought  their  cargoes  to  every  port  on  the  Illinois  river  and 
St.  Louis,  and  when  their  cargoes  were  discharged,  they 
loaded  up  at  the  same  point  with  corn,  wheat,  oats  or  some 
other  class  of  produce,  and  were  taken  by  swift  tow  boats 
to  LaSalle,  from  there  by  horse  power  through  to  Chicago. 
Farmers,  merchants,  mechanics  and  professional  men  felt 
the  impetus,  and  that  brighter  days  were  in  store  for  Illi- 
nois. The  author  well  remembers  this  buoyancy  of  hope 
so  long  deferred,  but  now  a  fixed  fact.  Then  engaged  in 
the  produce  and  lumber  business  at  Lacon,  our  recollections 
revert  to  the  voyages  made  on  the  "raging  canal, "  the  car- 
goes to  Chicago  being  wheat  and  corn,  and  from  Chicago 
to  Lacon,  lumber,  furniture,  and  other  articles  then  being 
dealt  in. 

But  to  resume  events  transpiring  during  Gov.  French's 
administration.  "In  the  fall  of  1850  a  new  legislature 
was  elected,  fresh  from  a  new  people  — NEW  in  great  acces- 
sions, and  also  in  that  they  had  cast  off  their  garments  of 
despondency  and  were  full  of  hope."  These  state  Solons 
met  in  January,  1851,  and  performed  a  great  deal  of  labor, 
giving  life  and  vigor  to  measures  which,  with  proper  addi- 


74  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

tions  since,  have  unfolded  into  great  advantages  to  the 
people  of  the  state.  State  indebtedness  was  nearly  at  par, 
auditor's  warrapts  were  ninety-five  cents  on  the  hundred. 
Such  was  our  improved  condition  NOW  as  compared  to  the 
close  of  1842  —  eight  years  of  an  anxious  interregnum 
when  state  bonds  were  only  worth  fourteen  cents  on  the 
dollar.  Surely  an  upward  and  onward  advance  almost  un- 
paralleled. This  improved  condition  was  brought  about 
by  rigid  economy,  a  thorough  system  of  retrenchment 
under  the  new  constitution,  and  a  wise  administration  of 
affairs  under  Gov.  French. 

One  progress  was  followed  by  another,  and  the  close  of 
1850  and  the  opening  of  1851  brought  with  it  the  magnifi- 
cent grant  from  congress  of  3,000,000  acres  of  land  to  the 
state  to  aid  in  building  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  and 
the  further  donation  at  the  same  session  of  all  the  swamp 
lands  in  her  limits,  estimated  at  1,500,000  acres.  It  was  a 
liberal  congress  to  Illinois,  but  our  great  state  has  amply 
repaid  it  by  the  service  of  her  gallant  sons  since  that  day. 
The  same  congress  also  granted  bounty  land  to  the  brave 
men  who  had  periled  their  lives  on  the  bloody  fields  of 
Mexico,  which  brought  a  home  to  many  a  deserving  family. 
These  were  encouraging  and  hopeful  aids,  that  with  the 
other  advantages  that  our  state  offered,  brought  a  thronging 
emigration,  filling  up  our  broad  prairies  and  aiding  in  the 
march  to  empire. 

We  might  mention  other  advances  made  by  the  state  in 
keeping  abreast  of  the  times  during  the  six  years  from  1846 
to  1852,  but  the  niche  in  our  "Recollections'7  is  filled,  which 
brings  us  to  January,  1853,  when  Governor  French  gave 
place  to  his  successor,  with  the  proud  consciousness  that  the 
credit  of  the  state  was  fully  restored,  and  her  indebtedness, 


AUGUSTUS   C.  FRENCH.  75 

which  had  for  years  been  an  incubus  pressing  her  down, 
would  be  faithfully  and  honestly  paid.  Gov.  Ford  had 
opened  the  way  and  let  the  light  in,  showing  a  path  to  his 
successor,  who,  Joshua-like,  had  accepted  the  trust,  and  in 
1853  the  state  was  making  giant  strides  towards  wealth, 
greatness  and  empire,  he  enjoying  the  proud  consciousness  of 
having  borne  a  faithful,  just  and  honest  part.  He  retired 
with  the  confidence  of  the  people,  they  believing  he  had 
acted  for  the  public  good  without  regard  to  personal  inter- 
ests. After  the  expiration  of  of  his  term,  he  occupied  for 
some  years  the  professor's  chair  of  the  law  department  of 
McKendree  College  at  Lebanon,  and  served  as  a  member  of 
the  constitutional  convention  of  1862,  where  he  gave  the 
benefit  of  his  great  legal  abilities  to  again  remodeling  the 
organic  and  fundamental  law  of  the  state. 


JOEL  A.  MATTESON. 


NINTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 


Retrospective  —  Nativity,  youth  and  education  —  Enters  on 
a  commercial  lii'e  —  Returns  to  farming  — Attends  and 
teaches  school  —  Visits  the  larger  cities  during  vacation  — 
Journeys  to  the  south  — Engages  in  building  railroads  — 
Takes  an  ocean  voyage  — Storm  tossed  — Returns  through 
Georgia,  Tennessee,  and  Missouri  —  Prospecting  in  Illinois  — 
Returns  east  —  Gets  married  —  Sells  his  farm  —  Comes  to  Illi- 
nois—  Improves  a  farm  —  Sells  out  and  moves  to  Joliet  — 
Builds  a  woolen  mill  —Takes  contracts  on  canal  —  Elected  to 
state  senate  —  Chairman  finance  committee  —  Elected  gov- 
ernor —  His  recommendations  —  New  school  law  —  N".  W. 
Edwards  —  Conclusion. 

Closing  our  last  chapter  with  the  prospective  advance- 
ment of  the  state's  great  interests  being  developed  on  every 
hand,  the  building  of  the  great  network  of  railroads  being 
commenced  in  earnest,  we  come  to  the  inauguration  of 
new  men  to  assume  the  grave  responsibilities  of  giving  the 
right  direction  to  affairs  for  the  next  four  years. 

Joel  A.  Matteson,  the  new  governor,  was  born  August 
S9 1808,  in  Jefferson  county,  New  York.  His  father  and 
mother  were  Vermonters,  and  characterized  by  the  indus- 
trious, thrifty  habits  of  New  England  life  at  that  day ;  were 
in  good  circumstances,  and  on  settling  in  New  York  opened 
out  farming  on  quite  an  extensive  scale.  Joel  was  their 
only  son,  and  his  services  were  so  much  in  request  in  as- 
sisting in  the  varied  labors  of  the  farm  that  he  was  only 


JOEL    A.   MATTESON.  77 

sent  to  the  neighboring  schools  during  the  winter  months; 
but  these  opportunities  were  improved,  and  he  acquired  a 
fair  rudimental  education. 

Having  an  ambition  to  enter  on  a  commercial  life  he 
opened  a  store  at  Prescott,  Canada,  before  he  attained  his 
twenty-first  year,  but  sold  out  after  a  year's  experience,  and 
returned  home,  and  feeling  the  need  of  further  education, 
entered  the  village  academy,  and  after  a  course  that  greatly 
improved  him  intellectually,  he  taught  school  for  one  or 
two  terms,  traveling  in  the  vacations,  visiting  the  larger 
cities,  observing  the  methods  of  commerce,  and  the  success- 
ful operations  of  mercantile  life. 

Returning,  he  did  not  resume  teaching,  his  father  giv- 
ing him  u  farm.  He  spent  one  year  improving  it,  and  feel- 
ing the  necessity  of  more  general  knowledge  of  the  business 
of  this  country,  he  traveled  in  the  south,  and  having  the 
means,  engaged  while  there  in  railroad  building  by  taking 
contracts.  When  these  were  completed  he  took  a  sea  voy- 
age, during  which  he  experienced  a  great  storm  in  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico.  Returning  from  his  ocean  voyaging  he  visited 
Georgia,  looking  in  upon  the  gold  mines  of  that  state,  com- 
ing north  through  Nashville,  then  via  the  river  route  to  St. 
Louis,  staying  there  a  while,  concluded  to  return  east,  but 
before  doing  so,  took  a  prospecting  tour  through  Illinois, 
reaching  his  eastern  home  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1831. 
Shortly  after  his  return  he  married  and  settled  down  to 
further  improve  his  farm,  which  occupied  his  time  during 
1832  and  part  of  the  next  year.  He  had  not  forgotten  the 
broad  prairies  of  Illinois,  and  he  sold  his  farm,  taking  his 
wife  and  child,  and  came  to  Illinois  and  settled  on  gov- 
ernment land  in  what  is  now  the  limits  of  Kendall 
county.  He  had  only  two  neighbors  within  ten  miles,  and 


78  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

there  was  not  a  half  dozen  houses  between  his  place  and 
Chicago.  He  opened  a  farming  business  on  an  extensive 
scale,  his  family  boarding  about  twelve  miles  away  while 
he  erected  a  house  on  his  claim,  sleeping  at  night  under  a 
pole  shed.  He  used  to  tell  about  a  rattlesnake  sharing  his 
bed  with  him,  but  the  reptile  was  peaceable,  so  no  harm 
resulted  from  it.  Getting  his  cabin  ready  his  wife  and 
child  came  to  the  farm  to  live.  In  1835  he  bought  largely 
at  the  land  sales  at  Chicago.  During  the  speculative  mania 
in  1836,  that  spread  all  over  the  country,  he  sold  his  lands 
and  removed  to  Joliet,  engaged  in  trade  until  contracts 
were  let  in  1838  for  building  the  canal,  when  he  became  a 
large  contractor,  and  prosecuted  his  work  with  energy. 

He  completed  his,  job  in  1841 ;  hard  times  was  the  rule, 
general  prostration  prevailing,  contracts  being  paid  in  state 
scrip.  The  state  offered  for  sale  several  hundred  tons  of 
railroad  iron,  and  Matteson  became  the  purchaser  at  a  great 
bargain.  He  shipped  it  to  market,  realizing  a  handsome 
profit, — enough  to  pay  off  all  his  debts  and  leave  him  sev- 
eral thousand  dollars.  Full  of  enterprise  he  built  a  large 
woolen  mill  at  Joliet,  that  for  many  years  enjoyed  a  wide 
reputation  for  the  good  work  done.  It  prospered  greatly 
and  was  enlarged.  In  1842  he,  first  entered  politics  and  was 
elected  Lo  the  state  senate.  From  his  well-known  capacity 
as  a  business  man  he  was  made  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  finance.  He  was  re-elected  for  the  two  following  terms, 
and  held  his  chairmanship,  discharging  his  duties  with 
ability  and  faithfulness.  Upon  the  resumption  of  work  on 
the  .canal,  in  1845,  he  again  became  a  heavy  contractor,  and 
largely  aided  in  pushing  the  work  to  completion.  He 
showed  himself  in  all  his  public  and  private  business  an 
energetic  and  thorough  business  man. 


JOEL    A.   MATTESON.  79 

Summing  up  the  strong  points  in  Gov.  Matteson's  busi- 
ness and  statesmanship  qualities,  Stuve,  in  his  history,  says : 
"  Matteson's  forte  was  not  on  the  stump.  His  qualities  of 
head  took  rather  the  direction  of  effective  executive  ability  ; 
his  turn  consisted  not  so  much  in  the  adroit  management  of 
party,  or  the  powerful  advocacy  of  great  governmental 
principles,  as  in  the  more  solid  and  enduring  operations 
which  cause  the  physical  development  and  advancement  of 
a  state,  of  commerce  and  business  enterprise,  into  which  he 
labored  to  lead  the  people.  As  a  politician  he  was  just  and 
liberal  in  his  views,  and  both  in  official  and  private  life  he 
then  stood  untainted  and  without  a  blemish.  As  a  man,  in 
active  benevolence,  social  virtues,  and  all  the  amiable  quali- 
ties of  neighbor  or  citizen,  he  had  few  superiors.  His  mes- 
sages present  a  perspicuous  array  of  facts  as  to  the  condition 
of  the  state,  and  are  often  couched  in  forcible  and  elegant 
diction.  The  helm  of  state  was  confided  to  no  unskillful 
hands." 

Most  truly  may  it  be  said  of  him  that  he  was  a  master 
of  finance,  and  could  estimate  the  wants  of  the  people  with 
a  correctness  not  many  men  could  obtain,  lie  saw  that 
Illinois  was  in  the  track  of  empire,  so  urged  upon  the  legis- 
lature the  importance  of  granting  new  railroad  charters,  and 
afford  proper  encouragement  to  bring  new  fields  of  labor  in 
the  market. 

He  recommended  the  adoption  of  a  free  school  system, 
and  with  it  also  the  election  of  a  superintendent  of  schools 
for  the  state  —  a  measure  adopted  before  the  end  of  his  term, 
asxwas  also  the  law  to  maintain  a  system  of  free  schools,  an 
act  fraught  with  great  good  to  the  youth  of  our  state.  Be- 
fore the  passage  of  this  act  the  secretary  of  state  performed 
the  duties  of  superintendent  of  public  instruction.  But 


80  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

now  this  responsible  and  important  office  was  made  a  dis- 
tinct department  of  the  state  government,  the  incumbent  to 
receive  a  salary  of  $1,500.  To  test  his  qualifications  and 
call  them  into  requisition,  he  was  required  to  draft  a  bill 
embodying  a  system  of  free  education  for  all  the  children  of 
the  state,  and  report  ifc  to  the  next  general  assembly. 

"This  most  important  office  at  this  juncture  was  by 
Gov.  Matteson  bestowed  upon  Hon.  N.  W.  Edwards,  on  ac- 
count of  his  long  experience  in  public  life,  and  from  the 
conviction  that  he  would  carry  into  effect  the  hopes  of  the 
people  and  the  designs  of  the  legislature  in  creating  the 
office.  In  January  following  he  submitted  a  full  report 
upon  the  condition  ef  the  public  schools  throughout  the 
state,  ably  urged  the  education  of  the  children  at  the  public 
expense,  and  presented  a  well-drawn  bill  for  a  system  of  free 
schools,  which,  with  some  alterations,  became  a  law." 

To  derive  all  the  benefits  and  advantages  of  the  law 
certain  pre-requisites  were  necessary.  "  A  free  school  was 
obliged  to  be  maintained  for  at  least  six  months  in  the  year, 
and  it  was  made  imperative  on  the  directors  of  every  organ- 
ized school  district  to  levy  such  a  tax  annually  as,  if  added 
to  the  public  fund,  would  be  sufficient  for  that  purpose ;  and 
it  was  made  collectable  the  same  as  the  state  and  county 
tax.  The  local  tax  thus  made  obligatory,  is  the  main 
resource  of  our  free  school  system.  Such  was  the  leading 
and  sagacious  combination  of  the  scheme  to  bring  educa- 
tion nearer  to  the  people,  and  induce  them  to  partake  of  it. 
This  is  the  course  resorted  to  by  the  government  to  render 
the  system  efficient;  in  fact,  giving  premiums  to  maintain  a 
free  school  for  its  youth." 

The  cause  of  education  thus  at  once  received  an  impetus 
which  has  since  not  only  been  well  maintained  but  has  gained 


JOEL    A.  MATTESON.  81 


force,  until  to-day  the  free  school  system  of  Illinois  is  among 
the  very  best  in  the  Union,  the  proudest  and  noblest  monu- 
ment which  she  has  erected  along  the  highway  of  her  career 
toward  greatness.  The  ordinance  of  1787  declared  "  knowl- 
edge, in  connection  with  religion  and  morality,  to  be  neces- 
sary to  the  good  government  and  happiness  of  mankind," 
enjoining  that  "  schools  and  the  means  of  education  shall 
forever  be  encouraged."  Congress,  in  the  Enabling  Act  for 
this  state,  April  18,  1818,  appropriated  three  per  cent,  of 
the  net  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  the  public  lands  lying  within 
her  limits  for  the  encouragement  of  education,  one-sixteenth 
part  thereof  to  be  exclusively  for  a  college  or  university. 

Railroad  building  greatly  flourished  from  1852  to  1856. 
During  this  time  the  Illinois  Central  R.  R.  was  completed 
the  entire  length  of  the  state  from  south  to  north  —  from 
Cairo  to  Dunleith,  with  a  Chicago  branch  from  Centralia 
to  Chicago.  The  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  Railroad,  with 
its  branches;  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy;  the  Chi- 
cago, Alton  &  St.  Louis,  and  Chicago  &  Galena  Union, 
were  all  fully  completed,  some  of  them  having  commenced 
their  construction  in  1850  and  1852,  under  Gov.  French's 
administration. 

It  was  a  time  of  general  advancement  of  the  material 
interests  of  the  state,  and  emigration  flowed  with  a  steady 
volume  to  the  state  to  fill  up  the  new  lands  made  accessible 
by  the  completion  of  these  roads.  Great  political  revolu- 
tions were  being  effected  in  the  minds  of  the  people.  New 
combinations  were  made  on  new  issues.  Men  were  aban- 
doning old  principles  and  making  new  party  affiliations. 
But  of  the  men  who  were  prominent  in  these  "new  depart- 
ures" we  will  have  occasion  to  speak  more  at  length  in 
other  pages  of  these  "  Recollections." 
6 


WILLIAM  H.  BISSELL. 

TENTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Introductory  —  Birth,  parentage  and  early  education  —  Studies 
medicine  —  Removes  to  Illinois  —  Commences  practice  — 
Abandons  the  medical  profession  —  Studies  law  —  Elected  to 
the  legislature  —  Admitted  to  practice  —  Elected  prosecuting 
attorney  —  Volunteers  for  Mexico,  elected  captain  —  Mustered 
in  and  elected  colonel  — Embarks  for  the  seat  of  war  — 
Arrives  —  Is  joined  by  First  Regiment  —  Their  long  marches 

—  Battle  of  Buena  Vista — Honorable  mention  —  Mustered 
out  — Elected  to  Congress  —  Offends  the  chivalry  — Is  chal- 
lenged by  Jeff  Davis  —  Accepts,  and  means  fight  —  Amicably 
arranged  by  friends  — Is  again  elected  to  Congress  —  Opposes 
the  Kansas-Nebraska  movement  —  Nominated  for  governor 

—  Is  elected  —  The  legislature  opposes  his  measures  —  Party 
strife  on  the  apportionment  bills  —  High-handed  proceedings 

—  Supreme  court  decides  the  governor  right  —  Same  action 
1859 — Governor's  secretary  treated  with  contempt  —  Gover- 
nor   again  vetoes   the   bill  —  Slander   still    follows    him  — 
Triumphantly  vindicates  himself  —  His  death. 

Boisterous  and  acrimonious  were  the  throes  of  party 
strife  in  the  canvass  of  1856.  Political  combinations  never 
dreamed  of  had  been  formed  from  the  heterogenous  mass 
that  was  now  opposing  the  administration  of  President 
Pierce  and  the  election  of  James  Buchanan  to  succeed  him. 
The  Kansas  and  Nebraska  question  absorbed  every  other, 
and  public  sentiment  was  rapidly  crystalizing  against  it,  not 
only  in  Illinois,  but  in  all  the  northern  states.  The  men 
who  were  candidates  were  only  a  secondary  consideration. 


WILLIAM   H.  BISSELL.  83 

It  was  the  principles  they  represented  that  were  voted  for. 
William  H.  Bissell,  the  standard-bearer  on  the  state  ticket 
for  the  newly  organized  republican  party,  was  born  April 
25th,  1811,  near  Painted  Post,  Yates  county,  New  York. 
His  parentage  was  humble,  each  member  of  the  family, 
when  they  attained  strength,  being  required  to  labor  for  the 
benefit  of  the  family  fund. 

The  labor  of  all,  wisely  husbanded,  created  a  family 
"  educational  fund/'  that  was  devoted  to  giving  the 
children  a  fair  education.  With  only  this  young  Bissell 
attained  manhood,  and  chose  for  his  profession  the  healing 
art,  and  accordingly  made  arrangements  to  study  medicine, 
and  in  the  regular  course  graduated,  came  to  Illinois  and 
settled  in  Monroe  county,  and  from  his  little  office  was 
subject  to  calls  from  the  sick  and  afflicted. 

His  versatile  powers  were  early  remarked,  for  at  that 
day,  in  the  part  of  Illinois  where  he  located,  very  few  were 
gifted  with  varied  literary  attainments.  Without  scarcely 
knowing  it  himself,  it  was  discovered  that  he  possessed 
these,  and  all  combining  gave  him  a  singular  facility  and 
charm  of  speech,  and  he  was  called  on  to  exercise  it  so  fre- 
quently that  it  seriously  interfered  with  his  professional 
duties.  He  was  not  slow  to  discover  this,  and  he  deter- 
mined to  change  his  profession.  He  commenced  the  study 
of  law,  and  almost  simultaneously  with  his  studies 
commenced  his  practice,  with  such  easy  facility  did  he 
learn  his  new  profession.  While  fully  fitting  himself 
for  his  new  duties  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  in 
1840,  and  in  the  performance  of  the  duties  of  his  new  posi- 
tion he  was  perfectly  in  his  element,  he  being  ready  in  de- 
bate, industrious  and  efficient.  When  the  session  closed 
he  returned  home,  finished  his  law  studies,  was  admitted  to 


84  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 


the  bar,  and  soon  rose  to  the  front  rank.  "  His  powers  of 
oratory  were  captivating.  With  pure  diction,  charming 
and  inimitable  gestures,  clearness  of  statement,  and  a  re- 
markable vein  of  sly  humor  running  through  the  whole, 
his  efforts  before  court  and  jury  told  with  almost  irresis- 
tible force." 

He  rose  rapidly  to  prominence,  was  elected  prosecuting 
attorney  for  the  circuit,  which  position  he  so  successfully 
filled  that  he  always  succeeded  in  convicting  the  offender. 
He  gave  all  his  cases  a  searching  investigation.  If  he 
found  a  man  wrongfully  accused  he  was  ready  to  admit  the 
fact,  and  the  case  was  not  prosecuted,  but  for  the  guilty 
there  was  no  compromise  with  him.  By  his  fairness  he 
gained  the  esteem  of  his  brother  members  of  the  bar  and 
the  confidence  of  the  court  and  jury.  He  was  tall  and 
slender  in  stature,  of  erect  military  bearing,  which  added 
dignity  to  his  pleasant  manner  and  winning  address.  He 
passed  from  one  success  to  another  in  his  professional  and 
public  career  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Mexican  war 
in  May,  1846.  His  impetuous  and  patriotic  impulses 
prompted  him  to  be  among  the  first  to  offer  his  services  on 
the  call  of  Gov.  Ford  for  volunteers.  The  Illinois  quota 
was  for  thirty  full  companies,  eighty  men  to  each  company^ 
to  serve  for  twelve  months  unless  sooner  discharged.  The 
war  fever  raged,  and  within  ten  days  thirty-five  full  com- 
panies had  organized  and  reported.  Such  was  the  patriotic 
furore  that  before  the  place  of  rendezvous  was  selected  there 
were  seventy-five  companies  reported,  all  clamoring  to  be 
accepted.  Gov.  Ford  was  compelled  to  make  a  choice  of 
thirty,  thus  leaving  forty-five  companies  doomed  to  disap- 
pointment and  to  return  to  their  homes. 

BisselPs  military  bearing  and  his  popularity  caused  his 


WILLIAM   H.  BISSELL.  85 

unanimous  call  to  lead  his  company  as  captain,  and  he 
reported  at  Alton,  June  17,  and  the  Second  Regiment  of 
Illinois  Foot  Volunteers  was  organized.  Upon  the  elec- 
tion of  regimental  officers  at  Alton,  June  30th,  he  was 
elected  colonel  of  the  regiment  by  an  almost  unanimous 
vote :  Bissell  807,  Don  Morrison  6.  The  Second  Regi- 
ment took  steamer  at  Alton  for  New  Orleans,  was  there  trans- 
ferred to  ocean  steamers  and  sent  across  the  Gulf,  and  on 
August  1st  arrived  at  Camp  Erwin,  Texas.  At  this  place 
they  were  joined  by  the  First  Regiment,  Col.  John  J. 
Hardin,  and  thence  went  forward  to  the  great  battle  of  Buena 
Yista.  They  marched  to  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  joined 
General  Wool's  army  of  the  center.  They  left  that  city 
Sept,  26th,  marching  steadily,  entering  Santa  Rosa  Oct. 
24th  without  opposition.  Thence  to  Monclova,  marching 
forward  to  Parras,  where  an  order  for  a  change  of  the  plan 
of  the  campaign  was  received  by  Gen.  Wool.  After 
remaining  at  Parras  twelve  days,  Gen.  Wool  was  ordered 
to  intercept  Santa  Anna  and  prevent  his  attack  on  Mon- 
terey. December  21st  he  occupied  Agua  Nueva,  thus 
completing  a  six  weeks'  march  of  over  one  thousand  miles 
without,  as  yet,  meeting  an  enemy.  In  January,  Gen. 
Taylor  and  Gen.  Wool  formed  a  junction.  From  this  on 
till  the  battle  of  Buena  Yista  the  two  armies  were  making 
various  strategic  movements,  that  culminated  in  the  great 
victory  to  the  American  arms  on  the  2'2d  and  23d  of  Feb- 
ruary. Of  the  conduct  of  the  Illinois  troops  at  Buena 
Vista,  Major-General  Zachary  Taylor,  in  his  report  of 
March  6th,  1847,  speaking  of  the  First  and  Second  Regi- 
ments, in  connection  with  the  Second  Kentucky,  says : 
"  Col.  Bissell,  the  only  surviving  colonel  of  these  regiments, 
merits  notice  for  his  coolness  and  bravery  on  this  occasion." 


86  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

These  regiments  (First  and  Second  Illinois)  remained  at 
Buena  Vista,  doing  some  foraging  duty,  until  the  latter 
part  of  May,  when,  in  a  general  order  from  Gen.  Wool, 
they  were  mustered  out.  In  this  order  Gen.  Wool  says: 
"  In  taking  leave  of  these  regiments,  the  General  cannot 
omit  to  express  his  admiration  o^  the  conduct  and  gallant 
bearing  of  all,  and  especially  of  Cols.  Bissell  and  Weather- 
ford  and  their  officers  and  men,  who  have  on  all  occasions 
done  honor  to  themselves,  and  heroically  sustained  the 
cause  of  their  country  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista."  Col. 
Weatherford  succeeded  the  gallant  Hardin  in  command  of 
the  First  Illinois  Regiment.  From  Buena  Vista  these 
regiments  marched  for  Camargo,  Texas,  where  they  were 
mustered  out  June  17th,  1847.  Returning  home  they 
were  everywhere  welcomed  by  their  countrymen  as  the 
heroes  of  the  day. 

In  1848  Col.  Bissell  was  elected  to  Congress;  was 
re-elected  in  1850,  and  immediately  was  recognized  as  one 
of  the  leading  members.  His  working  abilities  were 
brought  into  full  play.  He  was  an  ardent  politician.  It 
was  during  his  first  congressional  term  that  his  high  sense 
of  gallantry  was  shown  in  defending  his  adopted  state  from 
imputations  sought  to  be  fastened  on  her  troops  by  Mr. 
Seddon,  of  Virginia,  who  claimed  the  victory  on  the  field 
of  Buena  Vista  as  solely  due  to  southern  troops,  and  par- 
ticularly claimed  for  the  Mississippi  Rifles,  a  regiment  com- 
manded by  Jeiferson  Davis,  the  credit  of  turning  the  for- 
tunes of  that  day,  when  "  victory  was  snatched  from  the 
jaws  of  defeat,"  as  due  solely  to  southern  valor.  The  dis- 
cussions growing  out  of  the  slavery  question,  "adjusting 
it."  were  often  seized  on  by  these  southern  "  fire-eaters  "  as 
the  occasion  to  menace  and  insult  northern  members  and 


WILLIAM  H.  BISSELL.  87 

intimidate  them.  These  insults  were  submitted  to  by  some 
of  the  members  with  a  meekness  to  cause  one  even  now  to 
blush  with  shame.  BisselFs  ardent  nature  could  not  brook 
it,  and  the  vile  slanders  of  Seddon  were  repelled  in  a 
speech  so  replete  with  facts,  stinging  rebuke  and  unsur- 
passed eloquence,  as  to  bring  to  him  at  once  national  fame, 
and  a  just  pride  from  his  state  and  from  the  north  gen- 
erally. Utterances  so  bold,  oratory  so  accomplished,  the 
chivalry  could  not  bear.  Davis  challenged  him  by  the 
rules  of  the  code.  Bissell  accepted  the  challenge  with  the 
deliberate  intention  to  fight,  which  won  him  the  admiration 
of  the  country. 

Bissell  says,  in  his  correspondence  with  Jeff.  Davis  on 
that  occasion,  "  My  only  object  was  to  do  justice  to  the 
character  of  others,  living  and  dead,  whose  conduct  fell 
under  my  own  observation  on  that  occasion, —  a  duty 
imposed  upon  me  by  remarks  made  in  the  course  of  the 
same  debate."  But  the  friends  of  Jeff.  Davis,  as  soon  as 
they  found  that  Bissell  would  fight,  set  about  to  arrange 
the  matter  before  the  meeting  was  to  come  off,  President 
Taylor,  Davis7  father-in-law,  as  soon  as  he  was  informed 
that  the  challenge  was  accepted,  knew  that  it  meant  fight, 
and  set  about  stopping  the  meeting  by  instituting  legal  pro- 
ceedings to  prevent  it,  bat  the  friends  of  the  parties,  Maj. 
Cross,  W.  A.  Richardson  and  Gen.  Shields,  on  the  part  of 
Bissell,  and  Maj.  S.  W.  Inge  and  Judge  Dawson  on  the 
part  of  Davis,  settled  it  without  recourse  to  the  dreadful 
expedient. 

In  1854,  when  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  compromise 
was  effected,  he  opposed  it,  and  upon  its  consummation 
became  identified  with  the  republican  party. 

On  account  of  exposure   in  the   army,  disease  gained 


88  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

entrance  to  his  system,  developing  paralysis  in  his  lower 
extremities,  leaving  his  body  in  good  health,  but  depriving 
him  of  locomotion  except  by  the  aid  of  crutches.  This 
disability,  it  was  thought,  would  be  a  serious  drawback  to 
his  making  the  canvass  in  1856,  which  it  seemed  to  be  the 
determination  of  the  anti-Nebraska,  or  republican  party,  to 
confer  on  him.  A  republican  state  convention  met  at 
Bloomington,  May  29,  1856,  John  M.  Palmer  presiding. 
It  was  a  harmonious  meeting.  Bissell  was  unanimously 
nominated  for  governor.  A  letter  was  read  from  him,  stat- 
ing that  his  "  general  health  was  good ;  thought  that  he 
was  recovering  from  his  infirmity,  and  hoped  for  entire 
restoration ;  that  his  capacity  for  business  was  as  good  as 
ever,  and  while  he  might  not  be  able  to  engage  in  an  active 
canvass,  he  would  not  decline  the  nomination  if  tendered 
him."  Hon.  John  Wood,  of  Quincy,  was  nominated  for 
lieutenant-governor ;  O.  M.  Hatch,  for  secretary  of  state  ; 
Jesse  K.  DuBois,  for  auditor,  and  James  Miller,  for  treas- 
urer. W.  H.  Powell  was  nominated  for  superintendent  of 
public  instruction.  A  strong  ticket,  as  was  proved  by  their 
election  the  following  November  by  a  handsome  majority, 
thus  cementing  all  the  various  elements  of  opposition  into 
the  great  radical  republican  party  of  the  future.  The 
union  was  made  on  the  great  central  idea  advanced  by  Mr. 
Lincoln  in  closing  a  speech  at  the  republican  banquet  in 
Chicago  after  this  election,  Dec.  17,  1856  :  "  Let  by-gones 
be  by-gones,  let  past  differences  as  nothing  be,  and  with 
steady  eye  on  the  real  issue,  let  us  re-inaugurate  the  good 
old  ' central  ideas'  of  the  republic.  WE  CAN  DO  IT.  The 
human  heart  is  with  us,— God  is  with  us.  We  shall  again 
be  able,  not  to  declare  that  all  states,  as  states,  are  equal, 
nor  yet,  that  all  citizens,  as  citizens,  are  equal,  but  to  renew 


WILLIAM   H.  BISSELL.  89 

the  broader  declaration,  including  both  these  and  much 
more,  THAT  ALL  MEN  ARE  CREATED  EQUAL." 

This  contest  of  1856  was  more  than  ordinarily  bitter, 
acrimonious  and  personal.  Richardson,  the  democratic 
candidate  for  governor,  canvassed  the  state  thoroughly,  but 
Bissell,  owing  to  his  physical  ailment,  was  unable  to  do  so, 
and  made  but  one  speech,  which  was  to  his  old  neighbors 
at  Belleville. 

BisselPs  character  was  the  target  of  vindictive  assaults, 
and  he  took  occasion  to  repel  these  charges  in  the  Belleville 
speech,  which  was  widely  published,  and  was  so  clear  a  vin- 
dication from  all  the  charges  that  it  did  him  a  great  deal  of 
good.  Bissell  was  elected  by  a  plurality  of  four  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  twenty-nine  votes  over  Richardson,  but 
the  legislature  was  politically  opposed  to  the  governor  elect. 
On  January  13,  1857,  before  the  assembled  joint  meeting 
of  the  legislature  and  a  large  concourse  of  citizens,  he  Was 
inaugurated.  His  inaugural  address  was  short.  It  gave  a 
cursory  view  of  the  all-absorbing  slavery  question,  as  con- 
nected with  Kansas.  He  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  the 
growth  of  our  great  state,  its  wide  extent  of  public  improve- 
ment, the  business  of  the  railroads,  the  canal,  and  the 
financial  condition  of  the  state,  and  extinction  of  the  public 
debt. 

But  turbulence  and  disorder  ran  riot.  We  have  said 
that  the  legislature  was  politically  opposed  to  the  governor. 
Much  vituperation  and  personality  was  indulged  in  between 
members,  that  shocked  the  better  sense  of  all  considerate 
men  not  wholly  devoured  by  partisan  malignity.  Bissell's 
sensitive  feelings  were  deeply  wounded ;  his  high  strung 
nature,  that  only  had  the  interests  of  the  state  at  heart,  was 
trifled  with  by  personal  abuse.  Attacks  on  the  private 


90  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

character  of  the  governor  continued  throughout  the  session  ; 
every  device  to  embarrass  him  was  resorted  to.  The  courte- 
sies and  amenities  due  from  the  legislature  to  .the  executive 
department  were  denied  him.  The  dignity  of  official  posi- 
tion was  sunk  from  view.  Amid  such  turbulence  and 
party  strife  the  public  interests  and  the  good  of  the  state 
went  for  naught.  'The  violent  organization  of  the  house 
was  not  improved  upon  during  the  session.  A  new  appor- 
tionment of  the  state  was  one  of  the  requirements  to  be 
made  at  this  session.  Both  parties  presented  a  plan  divid- 
ing the  state  to  suit  their  interests  and  promote  their  future 
ascendency.  Towards  the  end  of  the  session  the  democrats 
passed  their  bill.  It  was  sent  to  the  governor  for  his  sig- 
nature. It  was  near  the  close  of  the  session,  a  great  many 
bills  were  receiving  executive  consideration,  and  in  the 
hurry  and  pressure  brought  to  bear  on  him,  he  affixed  his 
name  approving  the  bill,  thinking  it  was  some  other, 
delivered  it  to  his  secretary,  and  it  was  sent  back  to  the 
house  where  it  originated.  Great  was  the  surprise  of  the 
republicans  when  the  approval  was  read.  It  was  known 
that  he  intended  to  veto  it,  and  when  it  was  made  known  to 
him  he  sent  to  the  house  to  recall  it.  An  informal  note 
explanatory  of  the  circumstances  was  followed  by  a  veto  of 
the  bill.  The  democrats,  who  one  hour  before  were  so 
exultant,  were  now  the  disappointed  party.  The  house, 
where  it  originated,  refused  to  receive  back  the  bill  or  allow 
the  veto  message  to  be  read  or  entered  upon  the  journal. 
It  was  held  that  after  the  governor  had  announced  his 
approval  of  the  bill  it  became  a  law  and  passed  from  his 
control.  The  republican  members  signed  a  protest,  which 
was  spread  upon  the  minutes,  but  now  that  party  feeling 
was  perfectly  aroused  the  protest  was  not  allowed  to  stand. 


WILLIAM   H.  BISSELL.  91 


On  motion,  it  was  expunged  from  the  journal.  With  these 
partisan  acts,  and  amidst  the  greatest  uproar,  this  delibera- 
tive body  adjourned  sine  die  almost  in  a  riotous  manner. 
The  act  was  by  mandamus  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court 
.to  test  its  validity.  Judge  Caton,  delivering  the  opinion 
of  the  court,  held  "  that  while  a  bill  is  in  the  possession 
of  and  control  of  the  executive  within  the  period  limi- 
ted by  the  constitution,  it  has  not  the  force  of  law,  and  he 
may  exercise  a  veto  power,  and  so  return  it  to  the  house 
where  it  originated,  with  his  name  erased,  notwithstanding 
he  had  once  announced  his  approval  of  it."  So  ended  the 
tumultuous  session  of  1857.  At  the  legislative  session  of 
1859  very  nearly  the  same  proceedings  were  enacted.  An 
apportionment  bill  was  passed,  which,  if  permitted  to  become 
a  law,  would  result  in  giving  the  minority  on  the  popular 
vote  the  majority  of  the  members  of  the  legislature.  The 
governor  held  it  for  several  days  under  advisement.  Finally 
his  veto  came  by  the  hands  of  his  private  secretary.  He 
commenced  reading  it,  and  a  violent  tumult  ensued.  The 
speaker  rapped  with  his  gavel,  crying,  "  silence,  order ;. 
there  is  no  quorum  present.  No  communication  can  be 
made  to  the  house  in  the  absence  of  a  quorum.  Doorkeeper, 
put  that  man  out,"  meaning  the  secretary.  Others  shouted 
"Knock  him  down,"  —  "  Kick  him  out,"  etc.,  with  violent 
demonstrations,  but  by  this  time  the  secretary  had  read  the 
veto  message,  and  delivering  it  and  the  bill  to  a  page,  turned 
to  depart.  The  speaker  ordered  the  papers  to  be  returned 
to  the  secretary.  A  member  snatched  them  from  the  boy's 
hand,  went  after  the  secretary  into  the  lobby  and  thrust 
them  at  him.  Mr.  Church  gathered  them  up,  folded  them 
together,  walked  leisurely  up  the  aisle,  and  laid  them  on  the 
speaker's  desk.  That  official  contemptously  brushed  them  off. 


92  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

Finally  they  were  pocketed  by  a  member,  the  wildest  dis- 
order prevailing.  When  quiet  was  restored  a  call  of  the 
house  showed  only  forty  two  members  present,  less  than  a 
quorum,  and  the  house  adjourned. 

In  Stuve's  History  of  Illinois,  p.  677,  the  grounds 
which  made  it  necessary  to  veto  the  bill  are  given,  which, 
as  we  remember  them,  are  correct,  we  having  part  of  the  time 
during  the  session  been  "a  looker  on  in  Venice,"  and  can 
vouch  for  its  historical  correctness.  "  The  objections  of  the 
governor  to  the  apportionment  bill  were,  that  its  effect 
would  be  to  continue  the  control  of  the  general  assembly  in 
the  hands  of  a  minority  of  the  people;  that  the  new  county 
of  Ford  was  placed  wholly  within  both  the  ninth  and  tenth 
senatorial  districts;  that  in  the  matter  of  giving  excess,  the 
tenth  section  of  the  tenth  article  of  the  constitution  was  dis- 
regarded ;  that  there  was  an  unnecessary  departure  from 
single  districts  —  a  glaring  instance  being  the  Thirty-second, 
composed  of  the  counties  of  Champaign,  Piatt,  DeWitt, 
Macon,  Moultrie,  Shelby  and  Effingham,  to  which  these 
representatives  were  given,  when  the  census  showed  that 
the  seven  counties  would  divide  neatly  into  three  separate 
districts."  Thus  the  legislature  of  1859,  like  that  of  1857, 
broke  up  in  a  rout,  and  exactly  on  the  same  question,  — 
the  apportionment,  and  its  re-passage  over  the  governor's 
veto  prevented. 

Party  rancor  and  madness  seems  to  have  ruled  the 
hour.  The  very  acts  that  in  former  years  had  been  com- 
mended in  Col.  Bissell  by  these  partisans  when  himself  a 
democrat,  were  now  paraded  against  him  since  his  connec- 
tion with  the  republican  party  and  election  as  governor. 
Col.  Bissell,  before  his  election  as  governor,  had  differed 
with  Pierce  and  Douglas  in  regard  to  their  policy  or  prin- 


WILLIAM   H.  BISSELL.  93 

ciple  in  regard  to  the  Kansas  and  Nebraska  question.  On 
this  difference  with  the  administration  and  with  Mr.  Doug- 
las, the  leading  spirit  in  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  compro- 
mise, he  was  selected  as  the  candidate  of  the  opposition 
(afterwards  the  republican  party)  as  their  candidate  for  gov- 
ernor. 

This  independent  course  on  the  part  of  Bissell  made  him 
the  target  for  detraction,  defamation,  malice  and  abuse  from 
the  old  party  ler.ders  with  whom  he  formerly  affiliated. 
With  many  it  was  personal  pique  and  jealousy ;  with  oth- 
ers it  was  to  crush  him  because  his  personal  popularity  pro- 
moted the  growth  and  success  of  the  new  party.  This  vitu- 
peration followed  him  through  his  entire  official  career, 
embittering  his  last  days,  which,  with  his  bodily  affliction, 
made  life  a  burden.  They  charged  him  with  corruption, 
combining  with  financial  sharpers  to  get  old  and  rejected 
claims  presented  and  funded,  making  them  legal  indebtedness 
against  the  state.  A  direct  charge  of  this  kind  was  made 
against  him  in  regard  to  a  portion  of  the  bonds  held  by  the 
representatives  or  assigns  of  McAllister  &  Stebbins,  and 
perhaps  of  other  past  financial  transactions  of  the  state. 
These  charges  were  not  directly  made,  but  by  conjecture, 
innuendo  and  deductions  from  far  fetched  conclusions,  pro- 
fessing to  have  their  foundation  in  extracts  taken  from  the 
governor's  correspondence  and  official  acts. 

The  closing  year  of  his  official  life  (and,  as  it  proved  to 
be,  of  his  natural  life),  he  was  under  many  afflictions;  but 
these  repeated  charges  roused  him  to  his  wonted  intellectual 
energy,  and  in  the  Illinois  State  Journal  of  January  11, 
1860,  he  published  a  complete  vindication  of  himself,  evinc- 
ing the  rekindling  of  his  old  flame  of  scathing  invective, 
exposing  the  key  to  all  this  malice  to  be  envy  and  jealousy, 


FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 


showing  up  its  animus  in  detail.  He  pronounced  the 
charges  "  a  tissue  of  vile  assumptions,  inferences,  deductions 
and  downright  lies—  pitiful  cobwebs."  He  denied  receiv- 
ing one  cent  during  his  long  official  career  that  did  not 
properly  and  legally  belong  to  him. 

This  vindication  properly  rounded  up  an  active  official 
life  of  over  twenty  years,  during  which,  in  the  state  legisla- 
ture, as  prosecuting  attorney,  as  a  gallant  soldier,  member 
of  Congress  for  several  terms,  and  last  as  governor  of  the 
state,  he  had  shed  lustre  on  every  position,  vindicating  his 
state's  military  fame,  and  governing  with  official  fidelity. 

On  March  18,  1860,  nearly  ten  months  before  the  expir- 
ation of  his  term  of  office,  he  died  at  the  early  age  of  forty- 
eight  years,  leaving  Lieutenant-Governor  Wood  to  fill  the 
high  position  to  the  end  of  his  term. 

His  death  was  mourned  as  a  national  loss  ;  appropriate 
honors  were  rendered  him  by  funeral  orations  in  different 
parts  of  the  state,  by  bar  and  other  associations;  all  giving 
greatest  honors  to  his  memory  and  eulogistic  in  his  praise. 

Thus  passed  away  a  man  who  started  in  life  poor,  without 
educational  advantages,  but  by  persistent  effort  mastered 
the  science  of  medicine,  then  quitting  its  dull  and  laborious 
routine  for  a  profession  more  suitable  for  developing  his 
rare  genius  and  master  powers  of  mind,  affording  him  a 
wider  field  for  his  active  imagination  and  aspiring  ambition, 
speedily  attained  eminence  as  an  irresistible  advocate  ;  dis- 
tinguished himself  as  a  soldier;  as  an  accomplished  orator 
took  front  rank  in  the  halls  of  national  legislation,  in  which 
he  was  called  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  his  companions  in 
arms  ;  then  as  the  standard  bearer,  in  his  own  state,  of  the 
new  party  marching  towards  national  freedom,  was  elevated 
to  the  highest  office  of  his  state  by  the  partiality  of  a  great- 


WILLIAM   H.  BISSELL.  95 

ful  and  confiding  people,  closing  his  life  a  brilliant  success. 
Yet  in  the  annals  of  this  state,  as  seen  in  chronicling  his 
wonderful  history,  no  public  man  was  ever  subjected  to 
contumely  so  gross,  abuse  more  harrowing,  or  pursued  with 
malice  more  vindictive ;  these  cruelties  causing  him  many 
a  pang,  casting  a  shadow  over  his  exalted  position  and 
embittering  the  closing  days  of  his  life.  Such  are  fame's 
penalties.  Such  is  envy's  revenge,  and  the  envenomed 
shaft  of  partisan  spite  and  hate.  Gov.  Bissell  was  quite 
happy  in  his  domestic  relations.  He  was  twice  married. 
His  first  wife  was  Miss  James,  of  Monroe  county,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children,  both  daughters.  She  died  in  1842. 
His  second  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Elias  K.  Kane,  formerly 
United  States  senator.  She  survived  him  but  a  short  time, 
leaving  no  children. 


JOHN  WOOD. 

ELEVENTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Nativity  and  patriotic  ancestry  —  His  educational  advantages  — 
Comes  west— Locates  the  city  of  Quincy— Names  Adams 
county — A  lone  bachelor — Marriage — A  city  father  indeed 
—  Elected  senator — Lieutenant-governor  —  Succeeds  to  the 
governorship  —  Appointed  peace  commissioner  —  Quarter- 
master-general —  Enlists  and  commands  a  regiment  —His 
varied  duties — Returns  to  private  life  —  Along  and  honored 
career. 

Unswerving  principle  for  the  right,  a  sincere  heart, 
a  patriotism  that  admitted  of  no  compromise  with  expedi- 
ents, a  resolute  determination  in  the  performance  of  duty, 
all  these  virtues  combined  characterized  the  subject  of  our 
present  sketch. 

John  Wood,  born  at  Moravia,  Cayuga  county,  New 
York,  December  20,  1798,  was  second  child  and  only  son 
of  Dr.  Daniel  Wood  and  Catherine  Wood.  Dr.  Wood  was 
a  surgeon  and  captain  during  the  revolution,  a  man  of  great 
attainments  as  a  scholar  and  master  of  languages.  This 
aged  veteran  died  in  1850  at  Quincy,  aged  ninety-two  years, 
and  is  said  to  be  the  only  soldier  of  the  revolution  who  is 
buried  in  Adams  county.  The  mother  (Mrs.  Catherine 
Wood)  of  the  subject  of  this  notice  died  when  he  was  only 
five  years  old. 

In  his  boyhood  he  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  a  fair 
common  school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  set  out 


JOHN    WOOD.  97 


to  explore  the  southern  states,  getting  back  and  spending 
his  first  winter  in  Cincinnati,  came  to  Shawneetown  the 
summer  of  1819,  and  following  down  the  Ohio  and  up  the 
Mississippi  he  reached  Calhoun  county  in  the  winter  of 
1819-20,  locating  the  following  spring  in  Pike  county, 
where  he  farmed  it  for  two  years.  The  fall  of  1821  he 
visited  the  present  site  of  Quincy,  was  pleased  with  thejoca- 
tion,  bought  a  quarter  section  of  land  near  by,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  built  the  first  log  cabin  near  the  river — the 
first  building  in  the  city  —  and  thus  became  the  pioneer  of 
Quincy  and  of  Adams  county,  leading  a  hermit  life  for 
several  months,  as  he  was  a  bachelor. 

In  1824  he  sent  a  petition  to  the  Illinois  legislature  for 
the  establishment  of  a  new  county,  and  being  an  enthusi- 
astic Adams  man,  suggested  the  name  for  the  county,  and 
when  organized  and  the  county  seat  located,  the  name 
Quincy  for  the  county  seat,  thus  having  Quincy  Adams  his 
own  choice  for  county  seat  and  county.  At  the  time  when 
the  county  seat  was  located  Quincy  contained  only  four 
adult  men  and  two  women. 

In  January,  1826,  he  married  Miss  Ann  M.  Streetor, 
daughter  of  Joshua  Streetor,  one  of  the  new  settlers  from 
Washington  county,  New  York,  and  thus  broke  his  bach- 
elor life  in  his  28th  year.  This  estimable  woman  was  the 
mother  of  eight  children,  four  only  surviving,  three  sons, 
and  one  daughter,  all  residing  in  Quincy ;  the  sons  named 
Daniel  C.,  John  Jr.,  and  Joshua  S.,  and  the  daughter  Ann 
E.,  wife  of  John  Tillson.  Mr.  Wood  was  a  continued 
resident  of  Quincy,  the  home  of  his  early  adoption,  during 
all  these  years,  identified  with  every  measure  of  its  progress 
and  history,  and  the  recipient  of  every  office  in  the  gift  of 
the  people  of  Adams  county  that  he  would  accept. 
7 


98  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Before  its  organization  as  a  city  he  was  one  of  the  vil- 
lage trustees,  then  afterwards  member  of  the  city  council, 
many  times  elected  mayor,  in  1850  was  elected  to  the 
state  senate,  and  in  1856  elected  lieutenant  governor  on  the 
ticket  with  Gov.  Bissell.  On  BisselPs  death  in  1860  he 
became  governor,  holding  for  near  one  year,  until  succeeded 
by  Gov.  Yates  in  1861,  and  was  immediately  appointed  by 
Gov.  Yates  as  one  of  the  five  delegates  from  Illinois  to  the 
peace  convention  at  Washington  that  met  in  February  1861, 
but  which  resulted  in  no  substantial  benefit  —  in  fact,  was  a 
failure.  On  his  return,  the  rebellion  breaking  out,  he  was 
appointed  quartermaster-general  of"  the  state,  and  held  the 
position  during  the  war. 

In  1864,  then  in  his  66th  year,  he  took  command,  as 
colonel,  of  the  137th  Regiment  III.  Vol.  Infantry,  with 
which  he  served  until  the  end  of  the  war. 

Mrs.  Wood  died  October  8th,  1863,  and  in  June,  1865, 
Gov.  Wood  married  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Holmes,  widow  of  Rev. 
Joseph  T.  Holmes. 

Gov.  Wood  was  the  presiding  officer  of  the  senate  from 
1857  to  1859,  during  the  sessions  of  two  turbulent  legisla- 
tures, and  that  body  was  opposed  to  him  politically,  but 
such  was  their  respect  for  his  strict  impartiality  and  integ- 
rity that  on  the  adjournment  of  each  session  a  vote  of  thanks 
was  tendered  him  for  the  ability  displayed  in  his  parliamen- 
tary rulings,  and  on  his  assuming  the  gubernatorial  office, 
no  man  ever  holding  that  high  position  enjoyed  the  respect 
and  confidence  of  the  people  of  the  state  more  than  he  did. 
During  all  the  trying  times  from  1856  to  1866  he  was  firm 
and  true  to  duty,  the  friend  and  counsellor  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  until  the  president-elect  left  Springfield  to  assume 
the  reins  of  government,  and  as  quartermaster-general, 


JOHN    WOOD.  99 


often  at  Washington  during  the  war,  he  was  a  man  full  of 
duties  and  active  in  the  performance  of  them. 

He  resided  from  1821,  when  he  built  the  first  log  cabin, 
his  bachelor  home,  to  the  close  of  his  life  on  the  site  of  his 
old  home. 

Politically,  up  to  the  organization  of  the  republican 
party,  he  was  a  whig.  He  passed  through  all  the  mutations 
and  changes  from  being  the  hermit  settler  to  the  proud  posi- 
tion of  governor  of  the  state,  afterwards  becoming  an  active 
soldier,  looking  after  and  caring  for  the  bodily  wants  of  the 
soldier  by  forwarding  supplies  to  the  front,  and  then  taking 
command  of  a  regiment.  Sixty-two  years  ago  a  solitary 
settler,  with  no  neighbor  within  a  score  of  miles,  the  world 
of  civilization  away  behind  him,  the  strolling  Indians 
almost  his  only  visitants,  he  lived  to  see  growing  around  him, 
by  his  directing  hand,  a  thriving  city,  surpassed  nowhere 
in  beauty.  Its  prosperity  has  been  his,  and  its  citizens 
unite  in  single  voice  to  honor  the  liberality,  virtue  and 
sterling  integrity  that  attach  to  the  name  and  lengthened 
life  of  Adams  county 's  first  PIONEER  SETTLER  —  QUINCY'S 

FIRST  CITIZEN — "  THE  GOOD   OLD  GOVERNOR."        *      *      * 

He  died  full  of  years  and  honors  June  4,  1880. 


RICHARD  YATES. 


TWELFTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Words  giving  expression  to  history  —  Brief  family  genealogy  — 
Nativity  and  education— Visits  Lincoln  at  New  Salem  — 
Studies  law  — Admitted  to  practice  — Is  successful— Enters 
the  political  arena  —  Elected  to  the  legislature  three  terms  — 
Elected  to  Congress  in  1850  —  Re-elected  —  Defeated  in  1854  — 
Takes  an  active  part  in  the  canvass  of  1858  —  Nomination 
and  election  as  governor— Incidents  and  pleasantries  of  the 
convention  —  Presentation  of  rails  —  Lincoln's  speech  —  In- 
auguration as  governor  —  Subjects  discussed  —  Beginning  of 
the  war  —  First  call  for  troops  —  More  offered  than  called  for 
—  Other  calls  made  — Extracts  from  messages  and  letters  — 
Letter  to  Lincoln  —  Another  call— The  legislature  of  1863 
-  Proclamation  —  Prorogation  —  His  last  message  —  Four 
years'  lessons  learned  — The  ministry  — The  force  in  the 
field  — Elected  senator. 

Our  book  —  the  "Recollections" — giving  a  sketch  of 
Illinois'  great  war  governor,  will  perhaps  be  regarded  by 
many  as  only  a  repetition  of  former  histories  of  the  MAN, 
and  of  the  times  when  he  was  making  his  impress  on  the 
state  and  national  legislation,  and  afterwards  as  governor  of 
the  state  during  the  war  of  the  rebellion. 

We  cannot  hope  to  present  very  much  that  is  new. 
History  is  only  a  recapitulation  of  the  past,  perhaps  pre- 
senting some  new  facts,  and  relating  others  in  words  deemed 
by  the  author  most  fitting  to  give  expression  and  point  to 
the  information  he  is  imparting.  This  is  all  we  can  hope  to 


RICHARD    YATES.  101 


do  in  presenting  a  sketch  of  Governor  and  the  late  Senator 
Yates. 

His  father,  Henry  Yates,  was  descended  from  Dr. 
Michael  Yates,  who  emigrated  to  America  before  the  revolu- 
tion, settling  in  Virginia. 

He  married  Martha  Marshall,  a  sister  of  John  Marshall, 
afterwards  chief  justice  of  the  United  States.  To  them  was 
born  a  son,  Abner,  who  married  Miss  Mollie  Hawes,  and  to 
therti  was  born  two  children,  Henry  and  Martha. 

Henry  Yates  moved  with  his  parents,  in  1788,  to 
Fayette  county,  Ky.,  where  his  father  died.  The  family, 
after  two  or  three  removals,  settled  in  Gallatin  county  in 
1804.  Here,  in  after  years,  grew  up  Warsaw,  and  it  became 
the  county  seat. 

Henry  Yates  married,  July  11,  1809,  his  cousin  Milli- 
cent  Yates.  The  union  was  a  happy  one,  and  eleven 
children  were  born  to  them,  five  dying  young.  Six  were 
living  when  they  removed  to  Sangamon  county  in  1831, 
residing  at  Springfield  for  a  time,  then  removing  to  Island 
Grove,  same  county. 

Richard  was  born  January  18,  1818,  at  Warsaw,  and 
when  he  attained  the  proper  age  was  sent  to  the  schools  of 
the  place,  making  encouraging  progress  in  his  rudimental 
studies,  and  was  in  his  thirteenth  year  when  his  father  came 
to  the  state.  At  this  time,  having  made  such  gratifying 
progress  in  his  studies,  he  was  left  behind  at  Miami  Univer- 
sity, Oxford,  Ohio,  and  from  there  transferred  to  George- 
town College,  Kentucky,  and  when  he  had  finished  his 
course  there  he  joined  his  father's  family  at  Island  Grove. 
On  the  opening  of  Illinois  College  at  Jacksonville  he  was 
among  the  first  students  that  entered,  and  the  first  graduate 
o  the  institution. 


102  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

It  was  during  one  of  the  vacations  that  he  went  with 
some  of  his  fellow  students  to  their  homes  in  the  vicinity 
of  Salem,  where  he  first  made  the  acquaintance  of  Abraham 
Lincoln.  The  college  students  were  rigged  out  in  "  store 
clothes/'  and  the  future  great  emancipator  received  them  in 
his  home  spun,  and  soon  made  them  feel  at  home  by  telling 
some  of  his  droll  and  inimitable  stories. 

After  graduating  he  entered  the  law  office  of  John  J. 
Hardin  as  a  student  and  made  rapid  progress  in  his  law 
studies,  finishing  them  by  taking  a  course  of  lectures  at 
Transylvania  Law  School,  Lexington,  Kentucky,  then 
returned  to  Jacksonville  and  commenced  practice.  He 
entered  at  once  on  a  successful  career.  He  studied  his 
cases  carefully,  presenting  them  fully,  and  being  gifted  with 
ready  speech,  logical  in  argument,  and  his  oratory  graced 
with  gems  of  thought,  he  rose  rapidly  to  distinction.  He 
was  an  active  campaigner  in  the  canvass  of  1840,  advo- 
cating "  Tippecanoe  and  Tyler  too  "  in  the  exciting  cam- 
paign of  that  year.  In  1842  he  was  elected  to  the  legisla- 
ture, and  afterwards  re-elected  for  three  terms. 

This  successful  legislative  experience  paved  the  way  for 
his  nomination  for  a  seat  in  Congress  in  1850.  The 
counties  comprising  the  district  were  the  same  that  Hardin, 
Baker,  and  Lincoln  had  represented  from  1842  to  1848,  and 
he  made  a  personal  canvass  as  they  had  done.  The  demo- 
cratic candidate  was  Major  Thomas  L.  Harris,  the  sitting 
member. 

They  made  the  canvass  of  the  district  in  company,  speak- 
ing alternately,  and  each  arousing  the  enthusiasm  of  their 
friends.  Both  were  good  speakers,  but  Yates  was  the  most 
fascinating  and  persuasive,  and  was  elected  over  his  military 
competitor. 


RICHARD     YATES.  103 


He  entered  Congress,  made  a  reputation  in  discussing 
the  great  questions  of  the  day,  was  nominated  under  the 
new  apportionment  in  1852,  when  the  democrats  ungener- 
ously threw  Harris  overboard  and  nominated  John  Calhoun, 
one  of  their  most  eloquent  champions  in  the  state.  The 
canvass  was  a  brilliant  one,  as  we  remember  it,  the  candi- 
dates traveling  together  and  speaking  from  the  same  stand. 
Yates  again  succeeded,  and  during  his  second  term  took  a 
very  active  part  in  the  discussion  on  the  repeal  of  the  Mis- 
souri Compromise,  which  he  opposed  with  all  his  accus- 
tomed arguments  and  eloquence.  During  this  term  was  the 
formative  period  of  the  republican  party,  which  he  pro- 
moted by  taking  advanced  anti-slavery  ground  in  more 
than  one  speech  of  great  power  and  rare  oratory,  gaining  a 
national  reputation.  In  1854  the  democrats  again  nomi- 
nated Major  Harris,  and  a  majority  of  the  people  sustaining 
Douglas  in  his  effort  to  repeal  that  act,  Mr.  Yates  was 
defeated  by  a  small  majority. 

The  interim  after  closing  his  congressional  career  March 
4,  1855  and  1860,  was  occupied  in  close  application  to  pro- 
fessional pursuits,  except  making  some  speeches  in  the 
Fremont  campaign  of  1856,  and  Lincoln  and  Douglas  con- 
test of  1858,  when  he  was  called  on  to  take  a  part  in  reduc- 
ing or  overcoming  democratic  majorities  in  Central  Illinois. 

In  the  gubernatorial  contest  of  1860  there  were  three 
competitors  for  the  honor  of  the  nomination  :  Senator  Nor- 
man B.  Judd,  of  Cook,  Senator  Leonard  Swett,  of  McLean, 
and  Richard  Yates,  of  Morgan,  with  nearly  an  equal  follow- 
ing when  the  convention  met.  Judd  led  in  the  first  ballot- 
ing, presenting  his  full  strength  at  the  outset.  Swett's 
came  from  Middle-Northern  Illinois  and  the  eastern  and 
western  part  of  the  state,  with  a  few  from  Southeastern  Illi- 


104  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

nois_a  support  that  was  sure  to  go  for  Yates  if  they 
failed  to  secure  their  first  choice.  After  several  ballotings 
it  was  discovered  that  the  choice  was  between  Yates  and 
Judd,  when  nearly  all  of  Swett's  friends  voted  for  Yates 
and  he  was  nominated,  and  before  the  vote  was  announced 
both  Judd  and  Swett  were  withdrawn  and  Yates'  nomina- 
tion made  unanimous.  Then  a  call  came  for  speeches  from 
the  gentlemen  whose  claims  had  just  been  decided  before 
the  convention.  Yates  came  first,  and  was  greeted  with 
an  uprising  of  the  convention,  with  cheering  and  applause, 
showing  that  he  had  a  deep  hold  on  the  affections  of  the 
people.  His  address  was  brief  and  eloquent)  expressing  his 
faith  in  republican  principles,  and  the  great  future  that 
opened  out  to  the  country  in  the  success  of  the  national 
and  state  tickets  that  would  be  presented,  concluding  by 
thanking  the  convention  for  the  honor  conferred  on  him, 
and  pledging  himself,  if  elected,  to  be  true  to  the  trust 
reposed  in  him.  Mr.  Judd  and  Mr.  Swett  made  eloquent 
but  brief  speeches,  expressing  confidence  in  the  nominee 
and  their  cordial  acquiescence  in  the  result. 

Then  followed  in  quick  succession  the  nomination  of  a 
full  state  ticket,  and  the  presentation  to  the  convention,  by 
John  Hanks,  of  some  of  the  rails  made  by  Abraham 
Lincoln  the  first  year  after  he  came  to  the  state.  Mr. 
Lincoln  was  in  the  city,  but  not  just  at  that  time  in  the 
hall ;  he  was  immediately  called  for,  and  in  a  short 
time  made  his  appearance.  He  entered  the  hall  and  took 
his  seat,  the  delegates  and  audience  rising  to  cheer  him. 
Hon.  Richard  J.  Oglesby  rose  when  quiet  was  restored,  and 
addressing  the  presiding  officer,  said  :  "  An  old  citizen  of 
Macon  county  wishes  to  make  a  presentation  to  the  conven- 
tion." On  this  announcement  two  old  fence  rails  were  borne 


RICHARD    YATES.  105 


forward  to  the  stand,  inscribed  "Abraham  Lincoln,  the 
Rail  Splitter's  candidate  for  the  Presidency  in  1860.  Two 
rails  from  a  lot  of  three  thousand,  made  in  1830  by  Thomas 
Hanks  and  Abe  Lincoln,  whose  father  was  the  first  pion- 
eer of  Macon  county." 

Prolonged  cheefs  greeted  this  presentation,  when  Mr. 
Lincoln  arose,  and  with  a  serio-comical  expression  told 
the  circumstances  attending  the  making  the  rails  used  in 
fencing  a  field  and  helping  to  build  a  cabin  for  his  father, 
the  first  work  he  did  in  Illinois. 

This  was  only  one  of  the  pleasant  and  humorous  little 
episodes  that  transpired  at  the  convention.  It  showed  that 
the  people,  while  attending  to  grave  matters  of  state,  could 
with  zest  join  in  the  indulgence  of  a  half  hour's  season 
of  jollity  and  pleasantry. 

After  Mr.  Yates'  nomination,  came  in  a  few  weeks 
the  national  convention  at  Chicago  to  nominate  a  candidate 
for  the  presidency.  He  attended  that  convention  and 
contributed  as  much  as  any  other  man  to  the  nomination  of 
Abraham  Lincoln.  He  then  entered  the  canvass,  and  by 
his  great  industry  was  instrumental  in  carrying  the  state 
the  following  November  by  an  immense  majority  for 
the  republican  ticket;  Lincoln  receiving  twelve  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  fifty -two  over  Douglas,  and  Yates 
receiving  twelve  thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty-three 
majority  over  Allen,  leading  Lincoln's  majority  just  ninety- 
one,  and  the  largest  vote  of  any  other  candidate  on  the 
republican  ticket. 

January  14,  1861,  he  entered  on  his  duties  as  governor, 
delivering  his  inaugural  address.  In  discussing  national 
affairs  his  words  had  the  true  ring  of  the  patriot  and  ardent 
devotion  to  the  Union,  showing  that  in  the  approaching 


106  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

trying  period  he  would  perform  his  whole  duty  with  patri- 
otic fidelity  to  the  cause  of  the  nation. 

His  theme  was,  with  many  other  topics  discussed,  u  the 
perpetuity  of  the  Constitution  and  the  government  organized 
under  it."  "A  Union  of  intelligence,  of  freedom,  of  just- 
ice, of  religion,  of  science  and  art,"  founded  on  the  "  loyalty 
of  the  American  people,"  and  gave  assurance  "that  the 
whole  material  of  the  government,  moral,  political  and 
physical,  if  need  be,  must  be  employed  to  preserve,  protect 
and  defend  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States."  April 
15th  following,  his  active  duties  as  "  War  Governor"  com- 
menced. The  first  call  for  troops  was  made  by  the  Presi- 
dent, and  reiterated  to  the  people  and  the  legislature  by 
Gov.  Yates.  The  country  was  in  commotion,  the  people 
flew  to  arms  in  such  numbers  that  all  could  not  be  received 
into  the  service.  The  governor  in  his  message  to  the  legis- 
lature convened  April  23,  1861,  says,  "  Party  distinctions 
vanished  as  a  mist  in  a  night  as  if  by  magic,  and  party  and 
party  platforms  were  swept  as  a  morning  dream  from  the 
minds  of  men,  and  now,  men  of  all  parties  by  thousands  are 
begging  for  places  in  the  ranks." 

Within  ten  days  after  the  proclamation  of  the  governor 
more  than  ten  thousand  men  had  offered  their  services, 
twice  as  many  as  the  quota  called  for  from  the  state. 
Strong  men,  who  at  an  hour's  notice,  perhaps,  had  left  their 
homes  to  enter  the  service  of  their  country,  wept  at  the 
disappointment  of  being  refused  admission  on  mustering- 
in-day.  On  the  recommendation  of  the  governor  liberal 
appropriations  were  made  to  place  the  state  on  a  war  foot- 
ing. As  soon  as  arms  could  be  furnished  the  regiments 
were  to  go  into  camp  for  drill  and  instruction. 

Under  the  different  calls   made   before   Jan.   1,   1862, 


RICHARD    YATES.  107 


there  were  over  60,000  men  received  into  the  service,  but 
over  100,000  had  been  offered,  Gov.  Yates  urging  the 
government  to  accept  them,  to  spare  no  expense,  to  shun 
no  sacrifice,  and  relax  no  effort,  but  with  a  strengthened 
purpose  to  uphold  the  majest}7'  and  integrity  of  the  Union 
by  these  men,  ste'rnly  and  terribly  in  earnest  in  the  work. 

The  16th  of  February  gave  us  Donelson,  with  10,000 
prisoners,  sent  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  and  Camp 
Butler  at  Springfield.  This  victory  and  glorious  capture 
was  accomplished  mainly  by  Illinois  regiments  urged  on 
the  acceptance  of  the  government  by  Gov.  Yates. 

We  have  not  space  to  detail  minor  events.  On  the  6th 
of  July,  1862,  came  the  welcome  call  for  "  300,000  more," 
Illinois'  quota  of  this  to  be  nine  regiments,  and  the  gov- 
ernor issued  his  proclamation  announcing  the  series  of 
successes  that  had  crowned  our  army :  "  The  Mississippi 
had  been  opened  from  Cairo  to  the  Gulf;  the  Potomac  had 
been  opened  from  Washington  to  the  Chesapeake.  Beaten, 
broken,  demoralized,  bankrupt  and  scattered,  the  insurgents 
have  fled  before  our  victorious  legions,  leaving  us  a  large 
area  of  conquered  territory,  and  almost  innumerable  posts 
in  the  enemy's  country  to  garrisen  with  our  troops/7  He 
urged  promptness  in  filling  the  call,  quoting  Douglas,  "  the 
shortest  road  to  peace  is  the  most  stupendous  preparation 
for  war."  "  Illinoisans,  look  at  the  issue  and  do  not  falter; 
your  all  is  at  stake."  "  The  coming  of  the  brave  boys  of 
Illinois  will  be  hailed  on  the  banks  of  the  Potomac  and 
James  rivers  with  shouts  of  welcome.  You  will  be  hailed 
as  the  brothers  of  the  men  who  have  faced  the  storm  of 
battle  and  gloriously  triumphed  at  Donelson,  Pea  Ridge, 
Shiloh,  and  other  memorable  fields."  Gov.  Yates7  appeal 
abounded  in  acknowledgements  to  the  u  noble  women  of 


108  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  state  for  their  assistance  to  our  soldiers  in  the  field. "  In 
the  tent  of  the  soldier,  far  from  his  home,  are  found  the 
bright  traces  of  woman's  enduring  love  and  benevolence. 
Let  all  loyal  men  and  women  persevere  in  the  good  work." 
Closing,  he  writes :  "  Then  rally  once  again  for  the  old  flag, 
for  our  country,  union  and  liberty." 

These  calls  kindled  the  old  enthusiasm,  and  soon  it  was 
announced  to  the  country  that  the  enlistment  rolls  were 
full,  the  demands  of  the  country  met,  the  quotas  filled. 

July  11,  1862,  Gov.  Yates  wrote  to  President  Lincoln: 
"  The  time  has  come  for  more  decisive  measures ;  greater 
vigor  and  earnestness  must  be  infused  into  our  military 
movements;  blows  must  be  struck  at  the  vital  part  of  the 
rebellion.  Summon  to  the  standard  of  the  republic  all 
men  willing  to  fight  for  the  union.  Our  armies  should  be 
directed  to  forage  off  the  enemy.  Mr.  Lincoln,  the  crisis 
demands  greater  and  sterner  measures.  Accept  the  services 
of  all  loyal  men.  Shall  we  refuse  aid  from  that  class  of 
men  who  are  at  least  worthy  foes  of  traitors  ?  Loyal  blacks 
who  offer  us  their  labor  and  seek  shelter  beneath  our  flag?" 
Our  war  governor  was  warming  up  to  the  demands  of  the 
occasion.  Concluding,  he  said  :  "  Illinois  will  respond  to 
your  call.  Adopt  this  policy  and  she  will  leap  like  a  flam- 
ing giant  into  the  fight.  It  will  bring  the  conflict  to  a 
speedy  close,  and  secure  peace  on  a  permanent  basis."  Such 
are  a  few  extracts  from  this  patriotic  letter,  and  the  almost 
prophetic  advice  was  soon  after  adopted. 

Within  two  years  after  the  first  call  Illinois  placed  one 
hundred  and  thirty-five  thousand  four  hundred  and  forty 
men  in  the  field,  and  they  had  been  heard  from  in  the  roar 
of  battle. 

Coming  to  the  year  of  1863,  .that  year  of  recreancy  of 


RICHARD     YATES.  109 


the  majority  of  the  legislators  chosen,  owing  to  the  absence 
in  the  field  of  over  100,000  loyal  voters,  taken  from  all  the 
senatorial  and  representative  districts,  the  anti-war  and 
southern  sympathizing  element  of  the  state  succeeded  in 
securing  a  majority  in  the  legislature  that  was  opposed  to  an 
energetic  prosecution  of  the  war.  They  were  obstruction- 
ists. The  plans  submitted  to  them  by  the  governor  in  his 
message  were  ignored  —  even  to  the  extent  of  treasonable 
utterances  in  the  legislative  halls. 

To  his  recommendations  of  "  an  enactment,  making 
provision  for  taking  the  votes  of  the  volunteers  of  the  state 
in  actual  service,"  they  gave  no  heed.  He  also  asked  their 
aid  "  for  the  erection  of  a  hospital  or  soldiers'  home."  He 
also  asked  their  recommendation  to  Congress  to  "  increase 
the  pay  of  the  private  soldier."  But  other  topics  engrossed 
the  majority  of  the  legislature.  Parliamentary  stratagems 
were  obliged  to  be  resorted  to  to  prevent  legislation  that 
would  cripple  the  military  operations  of  the  forces  in  the 
field. 

Our  loyal  governor  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  He 
gave  the  disloyal  majority  to  understand  that  the  state  could 
dispense  with  their  services,  and  by  virtue  of  authority 
vested  in  him  by  the  constitution  he  prorogued  the  legisla- 
ture until  the  31st  of  December,  1864,  the  end  of  the  term 
for  which  they  were  elected. 

The  obstructionists  were  sent  adrift,  and  he,  with  the 
constitution  to  guide  him,  conducted  the  war  operations  of 
the  state  until  the  election  of  a  loyal  legislature  in  1864. 

In  a  proclamation  addressed  "  To  the  people  of  Illinois," 
dated  February  14th,  1864,  giving  general  information  as 
to  the  conduct  of  the  war  and  his  plans  for  the  care  and 
comfort  of  the  soldier,  he  says,  "  Then  fill  up  the  ranks, — 


110  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

reinforce  the  column  still  advancing, —  and  by  strength  of 
strong  arms  in  the  field  and  patriotic  sentiment  at  home,  fill 
every  village  and  hamlet  claimed  by  traitors  with  the  old 
flag  and  anthems  of  VICTORY,  FREEDOM  AND  NATIONAL 
UNION." 

We  have  now,  as  seen  by  the  last  quotation,  entered 
upon  the  eventful  year  of  1864,  an  epoch,  as  shown  by  facts 
of  history,  when  the  people  spoke  by  their  votes, —  the  gov- 
ernment by  its  official  acts.  Adverse  legislation,  which 
trifled  with  destiny,  was  baffled  by  the  decision,  firmness 
and  stern  promptness,  of  the  executive,  thwarting  schemes 
which  threatened  mischief,  and  the  people  that  year  rose  in 
their  majesty,  putting  the  seal  of  their  approbation  on  his 
act  of  prorogation  of  June,  1863.  It  was  a  grand  year  in 
the  history  of  the  state  and  of  the  republic,  and  traitors 
who  had  raised  their  disloyal  heads  in  1863  with  a  brazen 
front,  seeking  to  tarnish  the  state's  fair  escutcheon,  were  in 
1864  overwhelmed  by  the  uprising  of  the  people,  covered 
by  the  rocks  and  mountains  of  public  opinion,  and  sunk 
in  ignominy  and  disgrace. 

The  result  endorsed  every  recommendation  of  Gov. 
Yates  given  in  his  letter  to  President  Lincoln,  from  which 
we  have  quoted,  viz. :  Military  emancipation  and  the  arm- 
ing of  the  freedmen,  Lincoln  being  elected  by  over  30,000 
majority,  and  Oglesby  elected  to  succeed  our  gallant  "  War 
Governor"  by  near  the  same  majority. 

In  the  final  message  of  Governor  Yates,  January  3, 
1865,  he  says:  "In  support  of  the  government  at  home, 
and  in  response  to  calls  for  troops,  the  state  stands  pre-emi- 
nently in  the  lead  among  her  loyal  sisters.  Every  click  of 
the  telegraph  heralds  the  perseverance  of  Illinois'  generals 
and  the  indomitable  courage  and  bravery  of  Illinois'  sons 


RICHARD     YATES.  Ill 


in  every  engagement  of  the  war.  One  gallant  Illinois  boy 
is  mentioned  as  being  the  first  to  plant  the  stars  and  stripes 
at  Donelson ;  another,  at  a  critical  moment,  anticipates  the 
commands  of  his  superior  officer  in  hurrying  forward  an 
ammunition  train,  and  supervising  hand  grenades  by  cutting 
short  the  fuses  of  heavy  shells,  and  hurling  them  with  his 
own  hands  in  front  of  an  assaulting  column ;  and  the  files 
of  my  office  and  those  of  the  adjutant  general  are  full  of 
letters  mentioning  for  promotion  hundreds  of  private  sol-' 
diers  who  have  on  every  field  distinguished  themselves  by 
personal  gallantry  at  trying  and  critical  periods." 

And  now,  at  the  close  of  his  administration,  the 
"  Recollections"  will  note  the  progress  made  in  the  educa- 
tion of  public  sentiment  in  the  state  and  nation  : 

1.  PRINCIPLE  is  mightier  than  passion.     It  is  founded 
on  RIGHT.     It  has  exploded  the  policy  of  "  expediency  " 
and  "  compromise." 

2.  The  churches  have  made  a  noble  record;  the  minis- 
try  clothed  with   new  eloquence,  church   councils  giving 
patriotic  utterances  very  different  from  the  apologetic  tones 
when  scripture  was  quoted  to  justify  slavery.     They  have 
presented  the  claims  of  the  country  and  denounced  treason 
as  a  deadly  sin,  and  are  giving  their  prayers  "  without  ceas- 
ing "  for  their  imperilled  country. 

3.  New     forms    of    organized     benevolence     sprang 
into    existence.      "  The   Sanitary    Commission "    was   the 
almoner  of  the  gifts  of  the  people.     The  "  Christian  Com- 
mission," to  supply  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  soldier.     The 
"  Freedman's  Aid  Commission,"  working  steadily  for  the 
relief  of  those  made  free,  supplying  stores  of  food,  clothing 
and  medicines.      "Soldier's  Homes"  and  "  Soldier's  Rests" 
at  the  principal  centers  of  travel.     "  Soldier's   Aid   Socie- 


112  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

ties,"  mostly  auxiliary  to  the  Sanitary  Commission.  The 
women  of  the  land  were  foremost  in  these  good  works,  and 
the  boys  and  girls  caught  the  inspiration.  The  ways  of 
Providence,  thought  at  times  "  to  be  past  finding  out," 
stood  revealed,  and  when  the  administration  of  Gov.  Yates 
closed  in  January,  1865,  nearly  two  hundred  thousand 
soldiers  had  been  by  his  agency  placed  at  the  service  of 
the  general  government,  all  of  whom  but  three  thousand 
and  sixty-two,  were  volunteers. 

In  grateful  recognition  of  his  services  the  legislature 
elected  him  to  the  United  States  Senate  for  a  term  of  six 
years  from  the  4th  of  March,  1865,  his  term  expiring  March 
4,  1871. 


RICHARD  J.  OGLESBY, 


THIRTEENTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Tribute  to  Patriotism  —  Nativity  and  early  education  —  Studies 
law — Enlists  in  the  Mexican  War  —  Goes  to  California  — 
Engages  in  mining— Keturns  to  Illinois  — Again  engages  in 
the  practice  of  law  —  Travels  in  Foreign  Lands  —  Returns  in 
1857  —  Candidate  for  Congress  in  1858— Elected  to  State  Sen- 
ate in  1860  —  Elected  Colonel  and  goes  to  the  front  —  Promo- 
ted to  Brigadier  General— In  command  at  Cairo  and  Bird's 
Point  —  Services  in  Missouri  —  At  Fort  Henry  —  Leads  the 
attack  at  Fort  Donelson  — The  Second  Division  at  Corinth 
— Desperate  lighting — Is  wounded — Slowly  recovers  —  Great 
war  speech  at  Springfield  —  Reports  for  duty  —  Resigns,  but 
not  accepted — Granted  leave  of  absence  —  Resigns  in  1864  — 
Nominated  for  Governor  — Elected  — Inaugural  Address- 
Legislative  Measures —  End  of  term  —  Again  elected  Gover- 
nor in  1872  —  Resigned  and  elected  United  States  Senator  — 
Retires  to  private  life  in  1879. 

The  sage,  the  statesman,  the  minister  in  the  sacred  desk, 
the  citizen  of  every  profession,  occupation  or  avocation,  all 
recognize  love  of  country  —  patriotism,  as  the  chief,  the 
cardinal  virtue  of  a  people.  So  it  ever  was,  so  may  it  ever 
be.  The  good  and  wise  of  the  past  and  present,  all  nations, 
tongues  and  people,  pagan  as  well  as  Christian,  teach  as  the 
crowning  virtue  of  the  citizen  —  love  of  country.  The  sub- 
ject of  our  present  chapter,  distinguished  in  civil  and  mili- 
tary life,  will  be  recognized  as  embodying  in  an  eminent 
degree  this  noblest  quality  of  the  human  heart. 


114  FIFTY    YEARS     RECOLLECTIONS. 

Richard  James  Oglesby  was  born  in  Oldham  county, 
Kentucky,  July  25, 1824.  His  father  was  in  very  moder- 
ate circumstances,  and  his  mother  dying  when  Richard  was 
only  eight  years  old,  he  was  .left  to  the  care  of  friends,  who, 
from  want  of  opportunities,  could  not  give  him  early  edu- 
cational advantages.  However,  such  as  were  offered  he 
improved,  and  before  coming  to  Illinois  in  1836  he  had 
attended  school  more  than  one  year.  He  came  to  Decatur 
with  an  uncle  and  did  such  work  as  was  required  of  him,  his 
facilities  for  attending  school  being  still  very  limited. 

He  lived  at  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  in  1838,  when  he 
returned  to  Illinois,  remaining  till  1840,  then  went  to 
Oldham  county,  Ky.,  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade.  After 
remaining  two  years  in  Kentucky,  he  returned  to  Illinois 
in  1842,  worked  at  his  trade  and  farming  until  the  spring 
of  1844,  when  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  at  Spring- 
field. During  his  apprenticeship  he  spent  about  three 
months  of  the  time  in  attending  school.  He  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1845,  and  commenced  practice  in  Sullivan, 
Moultrie  county. 

When  the  tocsin  of  war  was  sounded  from  the  Texas 
border  in  May,  1846,  he  was  among  the  first  to  volunteer. 
He  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Fourth  Illinois  Reg- 
iment, Col.  E.  D.  Baker,  and  in  the  election  of  officers  was 
elected  First  Lieutenant  Co.  C.,  marching  with  that  gal- 
lant regiment  to  Mexico,  participating  in  the  siege  of  Vera 
Cruz,  and  commanding  his  company  at  the  battle  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  where  it  lost  twelve  in  killed  and  wounded  out  of 
forty-one  engaged.  He  served  out  his  term  of  enlistment, 
was  honorably  discharged,  and  returning  to  Decatur  re- 
sumed the  practice  of  law  for  over  one  year,  when  feeling 
the  necessity  of  a  "  higher  education,"  he  went  lo  the  Louis- 


RICHARD    J.   OGLESBY.  115 

ville  law  school,  studied  most  of  one  year  and  received  a 
diploma  from  that  institution.  On  returning  to  Decatur  in 
the  spring  of  1849,  with  others  he  joined  to  swell  the  tide 
of  gold  seekers  in  California,  providing  an  outfit  with  a  six 
mulegteam,  taking  the  overland  route  from  St.  Joe,  Mo., 
to  Sacramento,  California,  He  mined  in  California  for 
over  two  years,  meeting  with  fair  success,  when  he  returned 
to  Decatur  the  latter  part  of  1851  and  resumed  the  practice 
of  law,  continuing  it  successfully  for  the  next  five  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1856,  having  a  desire  to  see  foreign  countries, 
he  visited  Europe,  the  land  of  the  Pharaohs  and  the  Holy 
Land,  and  returned  in  1857.  In  his  journeyings  he  trav- 
eled leisurely,  learning  much  of  the  history,  lore  and  tradi- 
tions of  the  Orient,  and  the  topography  of  ancient  Syria 
and  Judea,  with  their  history  ancient  and  modern.  Meet- 
ing him  in  the  summer  of  1858,  at  Decatur,  when  he  was 
making  the  canvass  for  Congress  against  Robinson,  he  related 
many  incidents  and  adventures  of  his  foreign  trip  that  were 
both  instructive  and  entertaining.  In  his  race  for  Congress 
he  reduced  the  democratic  majority  in  that  district  from 
four  thousand  to  nineteen  hundred,  over  one-half  —  a  very 
satisfactory  result,  —  showing  his  popularity  in  that  demo- 
cratic stronghold.  In  1860  he  was  nominated  by  the 
republicans  for  the  state  senate,  and  was  ejected  in  a  district 
that  was  largely  democratic,  his  election  being  the  turning 
point  in  making  a  republican  majority  in  the  state  senate, — 
the  first  time  it  was  so  since  the  organization  of  the  party. 
On  the  first  call  for  troops,  in  April,  1861,  he  resigned  his 
seat  in  the  senate,  and  was  elected  colonel  of  the  Eighth 
Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  April  25,  1861. 
His  regiment  was  stationed  at  Cairo  until  July,  when  he 
was  assigned  to  the  command  at  Bird's  Point,  where  he 


116  FIFTY   YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

remained  six  months  in  command  of  two  brigades  of  infan- 
try, and  a  portion  of  the  time  was  also  in  command  of  the 
forces  at  Cairo.  He  commanded  a  force  of  four  thousand 
men  sent  from  Bird's  Point  to  Bloomfield,  Mo.,  a  movement 
in  connection  with  one  made  by  General  Grant  against  the 
rebel  forces  at  Belmont.  In  February,  1862,  he  was  given 
command  of  First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Army  of  West 
Tennessee,  under  command  of  General  Grant.  The  brig- 
ade consisted  of  his  old  regiment,  the  Eighteenth,  Twenty- 
ninth,  Thirtieth  and  Thirty-first  regiments  infantry. 

His  brigade  moved  at  the  head  of  the  forces,  and  had 
the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  enter  Fort  Henry.  After 
leading  the  advance  to  Fort  Donelson,  doing  all  the  skir- 
mishing, it  occupied  th*e  right  of  the  army  in  the  investment 
of  Fort  Donelson,  and  was  constantly  under  fire  the  twelfth, 
thirteenth  and  fourteenth  of  February. 

His  command  was  the  first  to  be  attacked  by  the  rebels 
on  the  15th  of  February,  maintaining  the  unequal  contest 
for  four  hours,  losing  five  hundred  killed  and  wounded.  It 
bore  an  active  and  gallant  part  in  the  battle,  reaping  great 
honors  in  the  victory. 

After  the  evacuation  of  Corinth  he  was  assigned  to 
the  command  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee  during* the  absence  of  Brigadier-General  Davis. 
He  then  resumed  command  of  his  old  brigade,  leading 
them  through  the  terrible  battle  of  Corinth,  October  3d, 
1862.  Oglesby  and  Hackleman's  brigade,  of  the  Second 
Division,  kept  the  entire  rebel  army  at  bay,  saving  Corinth 
to  the  union  arms.  These  brigades  charged  the  rebels. 
Hackleman  was  killed,  and  Oglesby  was  carried  from  the 
field,  supposed  to  be  dying  from  a  wound  received  in  the 
lungs.  He  rallied,  but  for  a  long  time  wavered  between 


RICHARD  J.  OGLESBY,  117 

life  and  death.  He  was  taken  to  his  home  in  Decatur,  and 
it  was  not  till  the  middle  of  the  following  January  that  he 
gained  strength  enough  to  leave  that  city  and  visit  Spring- 
field, where  he  had  been  invited  to  make  a  speech  in  the 
hall  of  the  house  of  representatives  by  leading  citizens  of 
the  state,  upon  the  war  for  the  union. 

He  appeared  in  the  hall,  his  form  emaciated  and  his 
face  pale  from  long  suifering  and  confinement.  His  voice 
trembled  until  warmed  up  by  the  intensity  of  his  feelings, 
when  he  gave  one  of  the  most  thrillingly  eloquent  speeches 
we  ever  listened  to.  It  was  during  the  session  of  the  anti- 
war legislature,  and  many  of  the  members  were  in  attend- 
ance to  hear  him.  He  denounced  their  opposition  as 
treason,  their  professions  of  love  for  the  union  as  hypocrisy, 
and  their  plan  of  raising  men  and  means  to  carry  on  the 
war  as  an  obstruction.  He  warned  them  of  the  indigna- 
tion of  the  people,  the  wrath  of  a  patriotic  soldiery,  whose 
efforts  to  obtain  a  peace  they  were  trying  to  cripple. 
He  described  the  terrors  of  Donelson,  the  carnage  of 
Corinth,  in  both  his  brigade  leading  the  attack.  We  heard 
that  speech,  and  we  lack  words  to  describe  its  effect.  It 
encouraged  the  patriotic,  denounced  "the  fire  in^the  rear" 
members  of  the  legislature,  who  that  session  composed  a 
majority,  the  same  that  Gov.  Yates  prorogued  the  follow- 
ing June.  This  speech  made  Gen.  Oglesby  the  hero  of  the 
hour,  pointing  him  out  unmistakably  as  the  successor  of 
Gov.  Yates  in  1864. 

For  gallantry  and  bravery  at  Corinth  he  was  promoted 
to  major-general,  his  commission  bearing  date  Nov.  29, 
1862.  On  the  1st  of  April,  1863,  he  had  so  far  recovered 
that  he  reported  for  duty,  and  was  assigned  to  the  command 
of  the  left  wing  of  the  Sixteenth  Army  Corps,  consisting 


118  FIFTY    YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

of  two  divisions  of  infantry  and  one  division  of  cavalry, 
to  occupy  West  Tennessee  and  Northern  Mississippi.  His 
wound  did  not  heal  and  was  very  painful,  compelling  him 
to  tender  his  resignation  in  June,  1863.  Gen.  Grant  re- 
fused to  accept  it,  but  gave  him  a  leave  of  absence  for  six 
months.  He  again  urged  the  acceptance  of  his  resignation 
May  24,  1864,  and  the  roext  day  the  republican  state  con- 
vention, meeting  at  Springfield,  nominated  him  for  gov- 
ernor, and  on  the  8th  of  November  following  he  was  elected 
over  James  C.  Robinson  (his  former  competitor  for  con- 
gress in  1858,)  by  over  32,000  majority,  at  that  time  the 
largest  majority  ever  given  to  any  candidate  in  this  state. 
He  was  inaugurated  governor  Jan.  16,  1865.  In  his 
inaugural  address  he  said :  "  The  state  of  Illinois,  true  to 
instincts  of  loyalty  and  constitutional  liberty,  will  remain 
faithful  to  her  allegiance  and  true  to  the  union,  an  humble 
participant  in  the  proud  history  and  pure  glory  of  the  holy 
sisterhood  of  states,  sharing  their  experience  and  abiding 
their  fortune  to  the  end  of  time.  We  say  the  REPUBLIC 

SHALL    NOT    DIE,    THE     UNION   SHALL    NOT    BE    DIVIDED, 

the  rebellion  SHALL  NOT  prevail,  trait jrs  SHALL  NOT  con- 
quer." Speaking  prophetically  he  said:  " Although  the 
war  is  not  over,  the  end  approacheth.  However  formidable 
the  rebellion  at  first,  we  have  seen  the  worst  of  it.  We 
have  measured  its  breadth,  sounded  its  depths  and  ascended 
to  its  height,  and  are  bearing  down  on  it  and  crushing  it 
out." 

The  important  legislation  of  the  session  of  1865  was 
marked  by  the  ratification  of  the  thirteenth,  amendment  to 
the  constitution,  abolishing  slavery.  Its  passage  in  con- 
gress was  announced  by  telegraph,  and  both  houses  were 
prompt  to  ratify  it,  so  as  to  give  Illinois  the  proud  distinc- 


RICHARD  J.  OGLESBY.  119 


tion  of  being  the  first  state  in  the  union  to  place  her 
on  the  good  work.  An  ILLINOIS  PRESIDENT  urged  it,  an 
ILLINOIS  GENERAL  closed  the  war,  making  it  possible  to 
abolish  slavery,  and  an  ILLINOIS  LEGISLATURE  the  first  to 
ratify  it,  —  a  record  to  be  proud  of.  This  legislature  also 
signalized  itself  by  repealing  the  "  black  laws  "  that  had 
disgraced  our  statutes  since  the  organization  of  the  state. 
The  law  requiring  the  registration  of  voters  was  enacted  at 
this  session. 

The  war  being  over,  "  the  piping  times  of  peace,"  plenty 
of  money  and  high  prices  for  all  classes  of  produce,  made 
1866  a  prosperous  year.  The  last  of  the  troops  were  with- 
drawn from  the  states  lately  in  rebellion,  the  people 
resumed  their  peaceful  occupations,  and  trade  and  com- 
merce flourished.  A  new  legislature  was  elected  in 
November  and  ushered  in  the  following  January  by  assem- 
bling in  regular  session  at  Springfield.  It  was  a  session 
fruitful  of  many  plans  to  promote  education  and  educa- 
tional institutions,  public  enterprises,  improvements  of 
channels  of  transportation,  a  new  penal  institution  for 
Southern  Illinois,  and  over  these  were  contests  for  loca- 
tions, an  active  lobby  presenting  every  conceivable  scheme, 
some  of  them  receiving  favorable  consideration.  The  act 
establishing  the  state  board  of  equalization  was  recom- 
mended by  Governor  Oglesby,  and  enacted  into  law. 
After  a  heated  contest,  great  competition  in  bids,  and 
much  spirited  disputation,  the  Industrial  University  was 
located  at  Champaign.  There  was  not  much  party  discus- 
sion at  either  the  session  of  1864  or  1865,  one  party  being 
so  largely  in  the  ascendancy  the  minority  quietly  conceded 
the  lead.  Hon.  Lyman  Trumbull  was  re-elected  United 
States  senator,  and  the  adoption  of  the  fourteenth  amend- 


120  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 


ment,  conferring  citizenship  upon  the  blacks,  and  an  agita- 
tion of  the  question  removing  the  capital  of  the  state,  took 
place  at  this  time. 

The  four  years  of  Gov.  Oglesby's  administration  passed. 
The  relations  existing  between  the  executive  and  legislative 
branch  were  harmonious,  and  he  delivered  over  the  reins 
of  authority  to  his  successor,  one  of  the  most  popular  retir- 
ing governors  of  the  state  ever  holding  the  high  position, 
if  we  may  judge  of  his  election  to  the  same  position  in 
November,  1872,  from  which  he  was  soon  transferred  to  the 
senate  of  the  United  States,  by  being  chosen  by  the  legisla- 
ture. On  the  4th  of  March,  1873,  he  took  his  seat  in  that 
august  body,  and  served  the  state  most  faithfully  for  six 
years,  his  term  expiring  March  4,  1879,  since  which  time 
he  has  devoted  his  time  to  his  private  business,  but  is  hale, 
hearty  and  robust,  willing  to  serve  the  state  in  the  same 
exalted  position  if  the  people,  through  their  representatives, 
should  make  a  demand  for  his  services. 


JOHN  M.  PALMER. 

FOURTEENTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Encouragement  to  youthful  endeavor  —  Nativity  and  humble  be- 
ginning—  Limited  educational  facilities  —  Comes  to  Illinois 
in  1841  —  Assists  in  improving  a  farm  —  Death  of  his  mother 

—  Attends    manual  labor  college  at  Alton  —  Then  teaches 
school  —  Mercantile   traveler  —  Meets  Douglas— Is  encour- 
aged to  study  law  —  Admitted  to  the  bar — Not  at  first  suc- 
cessful—Gets    married  — Elected    county    judge— Elected 
member  of  constitutional  convention — Elected  to  state  sen- 
ate—Anti-Nebraska principles  —  Attends  Bloomington  con- 
vention of  1856 —  Takes  active  part  in  canvass  of  1858  and 
1860  —  Appointed  peace  commissioner  —  Volunteers  for  the 
war  —  Elected  colonel  —  Appointed  brigadier-general  —  Major 
general  —  Engaged  in  many  battles  —  Marches  with  Sherman 

—  Assigned  to  command  in  Kentucky  —  Difficult  position  — 
Military  orders — Makes  a  speech  to  Kentuckians — Defines 
their  position  —  Privileges  of  the  colored  man  and  brother  — 
Mustered   out  — Resumes    his    prof ession  —  Nominated   for 
governor  —  State  ticket — All  elected  —  His  characteristics  — 
Meeting  of  the  legislature —Inaugural  — Lobbyists  at  work 
— The  governor  closely  scrutinises  each  bill —  Exercises  the 
veto  power  —  Constitutional  convention  —  The   good  work 
performed  —  Minority  representation  —  Gov.  Palmer  at  pro- 
fessional work  — What  might  be  — Author  visits  Springfield. 

Noble  impulses  and  high  ambitions  are  stimulated  by 
success,  and  the  pages  of  our  country's  history  are,  to  him 
who  reads  to.  be  instructed,  beacon  lights,  encouraging 
efforts  to  overcome  obstacles  that  poverty  and  privation 
interpose  to  discourage  the  youth  of  our  country  from  ac- 


122  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

quiring  knowledge  and  attaining  distinction.  As  an  en- 
couragement that  will  thrill  the  current  of  thought,  stir  the 
blood,  and  quicken  the  pulses  of  the  readers  of  this  work, 
we  shall  devote  this  chapter  to  one  who  rose  to  distinction 
by  perseverance,  pluck  and  brawn. 

John  McAuley  Palmer  was  born  at  Eagle  Creek,  Scott 
county,  Kentucky,  September  13, 1817.  His  father,  an  old 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  while  John  was  yet  a  small 
child,  removed  to  Christian  county  in  the  western  part  of 
the  state,  where  lands  were  cheap.  Here,  as  he  grew  in 
years  and  stature,  he  was  engaged  in  assisting  his  father  in 
opening  a  new  farm,  receiving  the  benefit  of  such  schooling 
as  the  sparsely  settled  country  enabled  his  parents  to  give 
him.  He  was  self  educating,  a  student  even  in  their  rude 
home.  He  read  all  the  books  that  his  father's  scanty 
library  afforded,  then  borrowed  from  the  neighbors  such 
books  as  they  possessed  that  imparted  the  knowledge  he 
was  seeking.  His  father  was  a  man  possessed  of  good 
judgment,  governed  by  principle,  and  early  impressed  on 
the  minds  of  his  children  anti-slavery  sentiments,  which 
they  did  not  forget  in  after  years. 

The  family  removed  to  Madison  county,  Illinois,  in  1831, 
and  engaged  in  improving  a  farm,  John,  as  he  did  in  Ken- 
tucky, assisting.  During  this  time  he  was  devoting  all  his 
spare  time  in  overcoming  the  disadvantages  of  his  meager 
education  by  reading,  and  by  his  application  fitted  himself 
for  entering  the  first  department  of  a  manual  labor  college 
at  Alton.  In  1833  his  mother  died,  which  made  it  neces- 
sary for  his  father  to  close  housekeeping,  and  John,  with 
his  elder  brother  Elihu,  entered  the  college  at  Alton  and 
remained  eighteen  months.  He  advanced  rapidly  in  his 
studies,  and  at  the  end  of  this  time,  finding  it  necessary  to 


JOHN    M.  PALMER.  123 


replenish  his  exchequer,  he  left  school  and  engaged  in  coop- 
ering in  summer,  teaching  in  winter  and  as  a  pedestrian  sales- 
man during  vacations.  The  year  1838  he  attained  his  ma- 
jority, and  while  making  some  of  his  mercantile  trips  over 
the  country  fell  in  with  Douglas,  then  making  his  first 
canvass  for  Congress.  They  became  fast  friends,  were  in 
political  accord,  and  Douglas'  eloquence  fired  his  imagina- 
tion to  the  effort  of  rising  to  like  eminence.  Douglas 
encouraged  him  to  study  law.  The  following  winter,  while 
teaching,  he  obtained  the  use  of  gome  law  books,  devoted 
his  spare  time  to  reading  law,  and  when  his  school  closed 
in  the  spring  he  entered  a  law  office  at  Carlinville,  making 
his  home  at  the  house  of  his  brother,  Rev.  Elihu  J.  Palmer, 
who  was  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  that  city.  At  the 
meeting  of  the  supreme  court  in  1840  he  was  admitted  to 
the  bar,  his  friend  Douglas,  who  was  much  interested  in  his 
behalf,  being  present  as  one  of  the  examiners.  He  was  not 
immediately  successful,  and  would  have  located  elsewhere 
but  had  not  the  means  to  travel  and  seek  a  new  location^ 
This  proved  a  blessing  in  disguise,  and  while  awaiting  busi- 
ness he  the  more  energetically  applied  himself  to  his  read- 
ing. He  was  poor,  but  industrious  and  honest,  and  his 
reward  came  afterwards. 

He  took  an  active  interest  in  public  affairs,  was  popular, 
and  in  1842  was  married  to  Miss  Neely,  one  of  the  popular 
young  ladies  of  the  place. 

In  1843  he  was  elected  county  judge,  and  at  the  end  of 
his  term  in  1847  was  elected  to  the  state  constitutional 
convention,  in  which  he  took  a  leading  part.  When  the 
deliberations  of  that  august  body  closed  he  devoted  himself 
closely  to  the  practice  of  his  profession,  which  was  now  be- 
coming lucrative.  In  1852  he  was  elected  to  the  state 


124  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

senate  for  two  sessions,  or  four  years.  In  1854,  not  forget- 
ting the  teachings  of  his  father,  he  took  a  firm  stand  in 
opposition  to  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  compromise,  and 
on  this  he  and  his  old  friend  Douglas  separated  politically. 

He  was  again  a  candidate  for  the  senate,  this  time  on  the 
anti-Nebraska  issue,  and  was  elected.  It  was  at  the  session 
following  that  Lyman  Trumbull  was  elected  to  the  United 
States  senate,  the  whigs  in  the  legislature  coming  to  his 
support.  In  1856  he  joined  his  fortunes  to  the  republican 
party.  In  1861  he  was  -appointed  one  of  the  delegates  to 
the  peace  convention  at  Washington,  but  the  object  of  the 
commission  was  a  failure.  The  seuth  was  bent  on  war  and 
precipitated  it. 

The  war  being  inaugurated,  he  tendered  his  services  to 
the  government,  and  was  chosen  colonel  of  the  14th  regi- 
ment Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 

In  the  campaign  of  1861  he  was  assigned  to  duty  in 
Missouri.  In  December  of  that  year  he  was  promoted  to 
brigadier  general,  and  assigned  to  duty  at  Commerce,  Mo., 
under  orders  from  Gen.  Pope.  His  forces  participated  in 
the  capture  of  New  Madrid,  Island  No.  10,  and  in  the 
march  to  Corinth. 

He  commanded  the  First  Brigade  of  the  First  Division 
of  the  Army  of  the  Mississippi  at  the  battle  of  Farming- 
ton.  His  division  at  Stone  River,  on  the  31st  day  of 
December,  1862,  stood  like  a  rock.  For  his  gallantry  here 
he  was  made  a  major-general.  His  soldierly  qualities  were 
of  a  high  order.  He  was  shrewd,  prompt,  decisive  and 
unfaltering  in  execution,  and  his  promotion  to  a  higher  rank 
came  no  sooner  than  the  army  and  country  felt  it  was  de- 
served. At  Chickamauga  his  and  VanCleves'  divisions 
maintained  their  positions  against  fearful  odds.  He  com- 


JOHN    M.  PALMEE.  125 


manded  the  14th  army  corps  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and 
fought  with  distinction  at  Kenesaw  and  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
receiving  praise  and  encomiums  in  the  official  reports  of 
Gen.  Sherman. 

Through  some  question  of  rank  as  to  the  succession  to 
Gen.  McPherson's  command  after  his  death,  Gen.  Palmer 
asked  to  be  relieved,  and  some  time  after  was  assigned  to 
new  duty. 

In  February,  1865,  he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 
the  Union  forces  in  Kentucky,  made  military  and  civil 
governor,  as  well  as  commanding  general.  It  was  a  delicate 
post.  There  was  much  restlessness.  About  half  the  people 
were  professedly  unionists,  the  other  half  sympathizing  w}th 
the  rebellion.  The  slaves  of  the  unionists  would  escape  to 
the  union  lines,  and  then  it  was  expected  that  the  com- 
mandants of  posts  would  return  them.  Guerrillas  were 
active ;  the  question  of  emancipation  was  unsettled,  and 
society  was  restless,  troubled,  and  in  a  state  of  anarchy.  It 
took  decision  and  firmness  to  govern  this  seething  mass. 
Professed  union  men  were  often  found  aiding  the  guerrillas, 
and  it  was  the  duty  of  the  military  governor  to  provide  a 
tribunal  to  punish  them. 

Kentucky  was  again  "  the  dark  and  bloody  ground." 
White  and  black  were  in  commotion  ;  the  status  of  the  negro 
was  yet  unsettled  in  Kentucky,  and  their  oppression  was 
greater  than  ever.  Both  the  slaves  of  unionists  and  rebels 
were  anxious  to  get  within  the  unjon  lines, —  in  fact  to  get 
north  of  the  Ohio  river. 

Gen.  Palmer  moved  deliberately,  but  it  was  his  impera- 
tive duty  to  move  strongly.  Crafty  men  could  not  manage 
him.  April  29th  he  issued  his  first  order.  It  instructed 
military  officers  as  to  their  duty  in  making  arrests.  People 


126  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

were  not  to  be  siezed  for  trivial  words,  uttered  perhaps 
unguardedly.  There  was  supposed  to  be  no  armed  enemy  to 
the  government  within  his  department,  and  all  persons 
patrolling  the  state  in  violation  of  law  were  to  be  treated 
as  robbers  and  guerrillas,  and  not  permitted  to  surrender  for 
trial.  We  give  extracts  from  the  order :  — 

"  The  people  of  this  department  are  to  be  protected 
without  regard  to  color.  All  such  persons  are  under  the 
protection  of  the  government.  Colored  people,  within  the 
laws,  resolutions,  proclamations  and  orders  referred  to,  are 
free ;  and  whether  free  or  not,  are  to  be  protected  from 
cruelty  and  oppression  in  all  cases.  When  the  state  of  the 
country  and  organization  and  rules  of  civil  tribunals  will 
permit  them  to  enforce  justice,  offenders  against  the  local 
laws  will  be  handed  over  to  them  for  trial." 

Here  was  firmness  toned  with  justice  and  mercy.  The 
order  was  right  in  spirit  and  conservative  in  tone. 

At  the  union  convention,  held  at  Frankfort,  Gen. 
Palmer  delivered  an  address,  and  pledged  the  whole  power 
of  the  government  to  protect  union  men  and  free  speech, 
adding,  in  the  hearing  of  some  ex-rebels,  "  The  time  has 
passed  in  this  country  when  free  speech  is  to  be  understood 
as  the  liberty  of  mouthing  treason.  Free  speech  does  not 
imply  that  the  traducer  of  the  government,  and  the  defamer 
of  the  principles  upon  which  it  is  founded,  shall  be  pro- 
tected in  his  lying  utterances.  My  idea  is,  that  no  man  has 
a  right  to  utter  treason  not  believing  it,  or  to  utter  treason 
believing  it.  In  the  one  case  he  is  simply  a  liar,  in  the 
other  he  is  a  traitor." 

The  approach  of  the  annual  election  called  out  order 
No.  51,  declaring  the  continued  existence  of  martial  law, 
and  forbidding  the  exercise  of  suffrage  to  all  guerrillas,  all 


JOHN    M.  PALMER.  127 


rebel  scouts  and  spies,  and  persons  who  by  act  or  word 
gave  aid  or  comfort  to  persons  in  rebellion ;  all  deserters 
from  the  service  of  the  United  States,  "all  persons  who 
were  or  have  been,  directly  or  indirectly,  engaged  in  the 
civil  service  of  the  so-called  Confederate  government,  or 
so-called  Provisional  government  of  Kentucky." 

To  assist  colored  people  to  go  where  they  could  find 
employment,  the  general  set  aside  the  statutes  forbidding 
them  transportation  on  lines  of  transit,  and  informed  muni- 
cipal authorities  that  they  could  not  and  should  not  molest 
persons  made  free  by  authority  of  the  government.  The 
president  was  besought  to  'remove  Gen.  Palmer,  but  the 
administration  sustained  him.  A  suit  was  brought  against 
him  for  aiding  slaves  to  escape,  but  Judge  Johnston  dis- 
missed it  on  the  ground  that  the  requisite  number  of  states 
had  adopted  the  constitutional  amendment  before  the 
indictment  was  found,  and  that  therefore  all  criminal  and 
penal  acts  of  the  legislature  of  Kentucky  relating  to  slavery 
were  of  no  avail.  Thus  a  Kentucky  court  gave  the  first 
judicial  recognition  of  the  amendment.  A  general  order 
followed, -proclaiming  the  abolition  of  slavery  and  advising 
people  of  color  to  claim  their  right  to  travel  at  the  bar  of 
the  courts.  Treason  and  half-confirmed  loyalty  was  again 
baffled.  Gen.  Palmer's  administration  in  Kentucky  will 
stand  approved  in  history.  When,  in  1866,  Kentucky  was 
fully  tranquilized,  he  was  honorably  mustered  out,  and 
returned  to  the  peaceful  duties  of  his  profession.  Malicious 
prosecutions  followed  him,  but  the  loyal  people  of  Illinois 
and  a  restored  union  sustained  him,  and  it  is  now  conceded 
that  he  blended  respect  for  the  state  and  municipal  laws  of 
Kentucky  in  every  particular  consistent  with  his  functions 
as  a  military  commander.  Gen.  Palmer  was  nominated  for 


128  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

governor  of  Illinois  in  1868,  against  his  own  protest.  The 
republican  state  convention  was  held  at  Peoria,  May  6, 
Hon.  Franklin  Corwin,  of  LaSalle,  presiding.  Gen. 
Palmer  did  not  attend  the  convention,  and  it  seemed  that 
none  of  his  many  friends  were  authorized  to  speak  for  him. 
All  the  most  ardent  could  say  was  that  "  if  the  nomination 
was  pressed  upon  him  he  would  regard  the  voice  of  the 
convention  as  a  summons  to  duty."  There  were  other 
aspirants  for  the  place,  but  they  all  knew  that  if  Palmer 
would  accept  he  would  be  nominated ;  so  that  none  had  the 
temerity  to  press  their  claims  till  the  matter  of  his  accept- 
ance was  settled.  He  telegraphed  to  Gen.  Rowett  while 
the  convention  was  in  session:  "Do  not  permit  me  to  be 
nominated,  I  cannot  accept."  This  was  read  to  the  con- 
vention, and  that  body  at  once,  in  its  perversity,  nominated 
him.  They  now  placed  the  responsibility  on  him  of  refus- 
ing to  accept  after  the  nomination  was  made.  He  was 
telegraphed  at  once  and  urged  to  accept,  and  finally,  con- 
sidering it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  hour,  the  voice  of  the 
people  having  placed  him  within  the  Jeffersonian  rule, 
"neither  to  seek  nor  refuse  office,"  he  tacitly  consented. 
The  other  candidates  on  the  state  ticket  were  John 
Dougherty,  for  lieutenant-governor;  Edward  Rummel, 
for  secretary  of  state;  Chas.  E.  Lippincott,  for  auditor; 
E.  N.  Bates,  for  treasurer;  Washington  Bushnell,  for 
attorney  general ;  Newton  Bateman,  for  superintendent  of 
public  instruction.  Andrew  Shuman,  Robert  E.  Logan 
and  John  Reid  were  nominated  for  re-election  for  peniten- 
tiary commissioners,  and  Gen.  John  A.  Logan  for  congress- 
man-at-large. 

The  author's  acquaintance  with  Gov.  Palmer  has  not 
been  one  of  intimacy,  but  of  observation  while  attending 


JOHN    M.  PALMER.  129 


the  sessions  of  the  legislature  from  1852  to  I860,  during 
the  sessions  when  he  was  a  member  of  the  senate,  and  visit- 
ing Springfield  while  he  was  governor.  We  found  him  in 
legislative  work  a  logical  and  cogent  reasoner,  his  language* 
which  he  never  aims  to  make  brilliant,  but  while  present- 
ing his  array  of  facts  and  ideas,  so  forcible  and  convincing, 
that  it  almost  approached  brilliancy.  His  authorities  are 
always  at  hand,  which  he  marshals  in  solid  array,  showing 
the  full  scope  and  sweep  of  the  subject  under  discussion. 
He  studies  his  subjects  well,  and  when  understanding  them 
has  a  rare  capacity  of  presenting  them  to  the  understand- 
ing of  others.  He  has  business  as  well  as  exact  methods 
in  the  practice  of  the  law.  This,  with  his  long  experience 
in  public  affairs,  both  civil  and  military,  makes  him  a 
statesman  of  the  highest  order.  His  mental  develop- 
ments establish  the  phrenological  theory ;  he  has  a  robust 
frame,  standing  above  the  medium  height ;  no  ostentation, 
social  to  everybody,  of  correct  habits,  liberal  and  benevo- 
lent to  such  an  extent  that,  although  he  has  a  competence, 
he  is  not  wealthy. 

The  session  of  1869  was  characterized  by  great  industry, 
not  only  among  the  members,  but  among  the  members  of 
the  "third  house " — the  lobby.  This  latter  interest  was 
never  more  bold  in  urging  legislation  in  the  interests  of 
rings.  They  were  reckless,  audacious,  prodigal  in  their 
professions,  and  perhaps  it  can  be  said  with  truth  they  were 
well  supplied  with  "  the  sinews  of  war "  in  the  shape  of 
funds,  to  impress  on  members  the  exceeding  importance  of 
the  measures  they  were  advocating.  Their  methods  were 
varied.  A  leading  member  of  the  senate,  describing  their 
manner  of  approach  to  the  author,  said,  "they  seldom 
offered  money  outright,  but  would  ask  an  audience  of  a 
o 


130  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

member  to  explain  the  measure  they  were  advocating, 
going  into  it  fully,  in  general  and  particular  details,  grow- 
ing very  enthusiastic  over  it,  and  trying  to  get  the  member 
warmed  up  in  its  favor.  If  he  succeeded  in  making  an 
impression  he  would  then  ask  the  member  to  investigate 
the  matter  for  himself.  The  member  by  this  time  would 
say  to  the  lobbyist  that  his  other  legislative  duties  required 
his  whole  time  and  would  not  permit  him  to  further  inves- 
tigate. Then  the  lobbyist  would  say,  '  he  was  aware  that 
the  time  of  members  was  fully  taken  up,  but  that  his 
measure  was  of  public  interest  and  one  that  members 
would  but  be  engaged  in  their  duty  to  the  people  in  giving 
attention  to,  but  he  did  not  want  them  to  give  their  time 
for  nothing,  it  would  perhaps  be  asking  too  much  to  do  so, 
but  if  the  member  would  give  it  attention  he  would 
fully  compensate  him  for  all  the  time  taken/  When  he 
arrived  at  this  point  he  began  to  draw  his  pocketbook,  and 
unless  the  member  turned  away  he  would  hand  over  fifty 
or  a  hundred  dollars,  according  as  he  valued  the  influence 
or  vote  of  the  member,  saying,  in  his  blandest  tone, '  I  do 
not  wish  to  trespass  on  yonr  valuable  time,  but  I  am 
anxious  to  have  you  investigate  the  matter,  and  do  not 
expect  you  to  give  your  time  for  nothing.7  If  the  member 
accepted  the  money  he  was  sure  of  his  support  of  the 
measure ;  if  he  did  not,  the  member  could  not  say  that  the 
money  was  offered  as  a  bribe." 

This  was  one  of  "  the  ways  that  were  dark  "  in  which 
members  were  approached.  Of  course  there  were  other 
methods  besides  regular  bargain  and  sale  of  votes  and  influ- 
ence, but  this  is  given  to  show  what  a  $50  or  $100  bill,  or 
frequently  larger  amounts,  will  do  as  a  conscience  plaster, 
to  smooth  the  way  for  the  support  of  measures  that  were 


JOHN    M.  PALMER.  131 


special  in  their  nature,  and  in  which  the  people  had  no 
interest. 

Gov.  Palmer,  in  his  message,  characterized  special  leg- 
islation as  anti-republican  and  dangerous  to  the  liberties  of 
the  people.  Notwithstanding  this  warning,  bills  were  in- 
troduced covering  every  conceivable  object  for  corporate 
purposes,  nearly  all  of  which  sought  some  advantage  over 
the  general  law  of  the  state  or  the  people. 

The  governor,  it  was  soon  found,  had  the  industry  and 
will  to  examine  each  bill  after  it  was  passed,  when  sub- 
mitted to  him  for  his  approval,  and  the  courage  to  exercise 
the  restraining  power  of  a  veto,  when,  in  his  judgment,  the 
public  interest  was  not  consulted  in  the  passage  of  laws. 
Of  the  nearly  1,700  bills  that  were  passed  at  that  session, 
none  escaped  his  patient  scrutiny.  A  large  number  of  these 
he  deemed  unconstitutional,  contrary  to  public  policy,  and 
at  great  expense  of  time  reduced  his  objections  to  writing, 
in  terms  that  were  respectful,  and  showing  forcible  reason- 
ing and  the  judicial  bearing  of  the  case. 

So  many  of  these  bills,  requiring  much  time  to  examine 
their  immense  mass  of  dry  legal  verbiage,  were  pressed  on 
the  governor,  that  the  legislature  concluded  its  labors  before 
he  coujd  examine  them,  so  took  a  recess  from  March  8th  to 
April  7th,  one  month,  to  give  him  time  to  examine  care- 
fully all  the  bills  before  the  final  adjournment.  An  import- 
ant event,  indicating  the  advance  of  liberal  principles,  was 
the  ratification  of  the  Fifteenth  Amendment  to  the  consti- 
tution of  the  United  States,  giving  suffrage  to  colored 
people.  This  ratification  "covered  a  multitude  of  sins" 
-committed  by  that  legislature  in  the  passage  of  hasty, 
imprudent,  and  pernicious,  as  well  as  unconstitutional 
legislation. 


132  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

Other  important  matters  occurred  during  Gov.  Palmer's 
administration  with  which  we  will  close  this  sketch. 

At  the  same  election  that  he  was  chosen,  in '1868,  the 
people  voted  in  favor  of  the  call  for  a  constitutional  con- 
vention. The  legislature  that  we  have  been  discussing 
authorized  the  election  of  delegates,  who  were  to  meet  at 
Springfield,  December  13,  1869.  This  convention,  com- 
posed of  learned  jurists,  experienced  statesmen,  men  coming 
from  all  the  professions,  avocations,  industries  and  honor- 
able callings  of  the  state,  met  and  prepared  with  much  care 
a  constitution,  pronounced  the  best  and  wisest  in  its  limita- 
tions and  restrictions  of  any  of  the  states  of  the  union. 
Time,  now  thirteen  years  since,  seems  to  endorse  this  con- 
clusion, as  the  question  of  changing  any  of  the  provisions 
of  that  constitution  has  never  been  seriously  proposed  by 
any  authority  entitled  to  respect. 

Space  will  permit  but  a  reference  to  a  few  of  the  reforms 
introduced.  Special  legislation,  which  the  governor  so 
deprecated  in  his  message,  is  greatly  circumscribed,  and 
irrevocable  private  franchises  and  immunities  are  prohibited. 
This  provision  destroys,  in  a  measure,  legislative  rings,  and 
the  professional  lobbyist's  "  occupation  is  gone."  The  gov- 
ernor is  given  a  qualified  veto,  for  the  first  time  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  state,  with  good  results  so  far  as  exercised.  Be- 
fore this  a  bare  majority  of  the  legislature  was  practically 
the  supreme  power  in  the  state.  Minority  representation 
in  the  legislature  by  means  of  cumulative  voting  has  proven 
a  satisfactory  feature  of  this  constitution,  and  the  more 
noted  from  the  fact  of  its  being  first  adopted  in  this  state. 
No  other  state  in  the  Union  has  yet  adopted  it.  It  is  a 
subject  to  which  we  have  given  some  attention,  and  believe 
from  its  first  adoption  that  it  has  exactly  corresponded  to 


JOHN   M.  PALMER.  133 


the  ratio  of  representation  to  which  the  popular  vote  of  the 
state  entitled  the  different  parties.  Its  just  features  are, 
that  each  senatorial  and  representative  district  can  elect 
one  member  of  the  opposite  political  sentiment.  No  part 
of  the  state  can  present  a  solid  front  for  either  political 
party,  and  every  voter  in  the  state  has  at  least  one  repre- 
sentative at  the  state  capitol  to  whom  he  can  appeal  to  pre- 
sent his  views  and  sentiments.  Another  good  feature,  it 
promotes  fraternal  feeling  between  the  different  sections  of 
our  great  state. 

Our  limits  will  not  permit  further  mention  of  Governor 
Palmer's  administration  of  state  affairs. 

Since  his  retirement  to  private  life  he  has  devoted  him- 
self to  professional  business.  He  has  received  honorable 
mention  at  the  presidential  conventions  of  his  party  for  the 
nomination  as  their  candidate  for  the  presidency.  That 
party  always  fails  to  nominate  their  "  best  man  "  when  they 
leave  John  M.  Palmer  off  their  ticket.  The  republicans 
will  always  continue  to  feel  thankful  to  them  for  doing  so. 
He  will  not  seek  the  nomination.  He  invites  no  "  light- 
ning stroke  "  of  that  kind ;  no  more  than  he  did  when  he 
was  nominated  for  governor.  The  democracy  would  honor 
themselves  more  than  they  would  him  by  choosing  him  as 
their  standard  bearer.  While  at  Springfield  to  look  in 
upon  the  organization  of  the  legislature  in  January,  1883, 
we  called  on  Gov.  Palmer  at  his  office  to  remind  him  that 
we  intended  to  cherish  him  in  our  "  Recollections."  We 
found  him  surrounded  by  clients,  and  more  waiting  an 
audience.  A  pleasant  salutation,  a  friendly  grasp  of  the 
hand,  and  a  bid  to  "  call  again,"  was  all  the  time  he  could 
give  us. 


JOHN  L.  BEVERIDGE. 


FIFTEENTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 


Nativity  —  early  Education  — Studies  law— Admitted  to  practice 

—  Removes  to  Chicago  —  Enlists  in  the  Army  —  Elected  Cap- 
tain—  Appointed  Major — His  services  in  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac  —  Recruits  and  organizes  the  Seventeenth  Illinois 
Cavalry — Elected  Colonel  —  Long  term  of  service  in  Missouri 

—  Regiment  engages  in  many  battles  —  Promoted  to  Brigadier 
General  —  Assigned  to  duty  in  military  court —  Other  officers 
of  the  regiment  —  Regiment  receives  the  last  surrender  of  the 
rebellion  — Mustered     out  — Returns    to    Chicago  — Elected 
Sheriff — State  Senator  —  Lieutenant-Governor  —  Governor  — 
Term  expires  —  Appointed  Sub-Treasurer  —  Money  bags  by 
the  cord  —  "  Millions  in  it." 

Faithfulness  and  devotion  to  principle  should  be  recog- 
nized, and  when  it  involves  the  sacrifice  of  business,  of 
home  and  its  pleasures,  and  places  in  jeopardy  life,  health 
and  limb  for  the  love  of  country,  it  deserves  to  be  chroni- 
cled on  historic  page  and  held  in  remembrance  by  a 
grateful  people. 

John  L.  Beveridge  was  born  at  Greenwich,  Washington 
county,  New  York,  July  6,  1824.  His  father  was  a  farmer 
in  fair  circumstances  and  John  enjoyed  fair  educational 
privileges  until  his  father's  family  removed  to  Illinois  in  the 
spring  of  1842,  when  he  was  in  his  eighteenth  year.  They 
settled  on  a  farm  in  DeKalb  county,  and  all  the  working 
force  of  the  family  was  busily  engaged  in  opening  up  and 
improving  the  farm. 


JOHN    L.   BEVERIDGE.  135 

He  was  a  great  reader  and  early  developed  an  aptitude 
for  the  law,  and  as  the  opportunities  presented,  improved 
them,  and  in  due  time  was  admitted  to  practice.  Such 
was  his  success  that  he  attained  considerable  prominence  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  his  own  and  adjoining 
counties. 

In  1844,  wishing  a  wider  field  and  scope  for  his  varied 
specialties  of  practice,  he  opened  an  office  in  Chicago,  and 
soon  secured  a  good  practice,  which  he  increased  until  the 
breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  in  1861,  when,  August  27, 
1861,  he  enlisted,  and  commenced  recruiting  for  the  Eighth 
Illinois  cavalry. 

On  the  organization  of  the  company  he  was  elected  cap- 
tain of  Co.  F.,  September  17th.  The  next  day  he  was 
selected  by  the  line  officers  as  one  of  the  majors  of  the 
regiment.  In  October  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Wash- 
ington, and  remained  there  during  the  winter  of  1861-2. 
In  the  inclement  weather  and  deep  mud  of  Maryland  and 
Virginia  they  were  schooled  to  the  privations  and  severe 
duties  of  camp  life,  hard  marching  and  severe  fighting.  He 
was  an  apt  student,  and  quickly  acquired  skill  in  drill  and 
the  discipline  of  army  movements  and  the  maneuvering  of 
the  cavalry  soldier. 

His  was  no  holiday  soldiering.  He  shared  in  all  the 
long  and  weary  marches,  toils,  dangers  and  battles  of  that 
gallant  regiment,  and  the  checkered  and  varied  success  and 
defeats  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  The  regiment  partic- 
ipated in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  led  the  advance 
under  Gen.  Stoneman  upon  Richmond,  taking  part  in  the 
battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  in  the  memorable  seven  days  fight 
around  Richmond,  and  the  long  and  weary  nights  on  picket 
and  scout  duty  round  that  city,  and  ranging  in  their  sweep, 


136  FIFTY    YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

Harrison's  Landing.  But  this  "  On  to  Richmond  "  move- 
ment did  not  succeed,  the  connections  were  not  made  at  all 
the  points  to  prove  it  a  success,  and  the  Eighth  Cavalry, 
with  the  rest  of  that  large  and  disappointed  army,  were 
forced  to  retreat.  Upon  this  retreat  from  James  River  the 
Eighth  formed  the  rear  guard,  and  the  battalion  commanded 
by  Major  Beveridge  the  extreme  rear,  beating  back  and 
fighting  the  rebel  hosts. 

In  the  fall  of  1862,  in  the  campaigns  that  ended  in  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  the  "  avenging  hosts "  of  the 
Eighth  Illinois  Cavalry  were  always  hovering  on  the  flanks 
or  pitching  into  the  wings  of  the  rebel  army.  Major  Bev- 
eridge fought  the  enemy,  in  command  of  his  regiment, 
Bunder  that  great  cavalry  leader,  General  Pleasanton,  at 
Purcellville,  Uniontown,  Aldie,  Barber's  Cross  Roads  and 
Amesville,  and  covered  the  rear  and  right  flank  of  the  army 
while  swinging  round  under  General  Burnside  to  Fred- 
ericksburg. 

The  Eighth  were  the  flying  couriers,  we  might  almost 
say  the  winged  messengers,  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg, 
Major  Beveridge's  battalion  being  the  only  cavalry  force 
that  crossed  the  river  on  that  day.  This  force  might  with 
propriety  be  called  the'"  Avengers/'  they  followed  in  such 
quick  succession  in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  leading 
his_  regiment  at  Gettsyburg,  Williamsport,  Boonsboro, 
Funkstown,  Falling  Waters,  and  five  times  over  the 
ground  between  the  Rappahanock  and  Culpepper,  either 
chasing  the  enemy  or  beating  off  their  attack.  Such  was 
life  with  Major  Beveridge  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
Sometimes  the  regiment  was  altogether,  at  other  times 
divided  up  into  battalions,  making  the  Eighth  almost 
omnipresent  in  all  the  operations  at  that  stirring  period  of 


JOHN    L.   BEVERIDGE.  137 

the  war.  In  this  manner  he  served  until  the  fall  of  1863, 
when  it  was  determined  to  organize  another  cavalry  regi- 
ment from  Illinois,  and  through  Mr.  Lincoln's  recommen- 
dation to  the  War  Department,  permission  was  obtained  to 
raise  and  organize  another  regiment,  and  by  consent  of 
Gov.  Yates  Major  Beveridge  resigned  his  commission 
Nov.  3,  1863,  and  returned  to  Illinois  to  recruit  and  organ- 
ize the  Seventeenth  Illinois  Cavalry.  He  was  successful, 
and  January  28,  1864,  he  was  mustered  in  commissioned 
as  colonel,  and  was  in  command  of  twelve  companies,  with 
Lieut.  Col.  Dennis  J.  Hynes,  Major  Hiram  Hilliard,  Second 
Major  Lucius  C.  Matlack,  Third  Major  Philip  E.  Fisher. 

The  first  duty  of  the  new  regiment  was  to  take  charge 
of  the  rebel  prisoners  at  Alton,  during  which  time  they 
engaged  in  active  drill.  February  16,  1864,  he  received 
orders  to  cross  the  river  into  Missouri,  and  there  did  duty 
during  the  spring  and  summer.  They  engaged  in  pursuit 
of  the  rebel  army  in  October,  1864,  afterwards  dividing 
into  squadrons  and  engaged  in  the  scouting  service  in  Mis- 
souri. During  1865  the  regiment  was  re-united  in  Kansas. 
The  second  battalion,  Major  Matlack  commanding,  was 
sent  to  Glasgow,  Mo.,  in  the  midst  of  guerilla  strongholds. 
On  landing  at  midnight  dispatches  were  handed  the  Major 
advising  him  of  the  approach  of  a  large  rebel  force. 

The  guerrillas  dreaded  the  17th,  and  did  not  attack. 
Orders  came  the  next  day  from  Gen.  Rosencrans,  directing 
the  major  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  17th,  a  squad- 
ron of  the  9th  Missouri  cavalry,  and  several  hundred  Mis- 
souri militia,  to  move  out  in  search  of  the  rebel  Thornton, 
who  was  in  North  Missouri  with  one  thousand  five  hundred 
men.  Thornton  retreated.  Matlack  pursued,  but  could 
not  catch  him.  Thus  was  inaugurated  a  short,  vigorous 


138  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

campaign,  requiring,  for  two  months  afterwards,  scouting 
parties,  who  engaged  in  severe  skirmishing  in  which  the 
boys  from  Illinois  distinguished  themselves. 

The  main  part  of  the  regiment  under  command  of  CoL 
Beveridge  reported  to  Gen.  McNiell,  at  Holla,  Mo.  On 
September  28th  Price  attacked  Pilot  Knob  and  was  re- 
pulsed. The  rebel  army  was  approaching  Rolla,  and  the 
same  night  they  burned  Cuba,  twenty-four  miles  distant. 
To  check  the  enemy  Col.  Beveridge  was  ordered  to  move 
out  with  the  17th  on  the  20th.  At  night  the  regiment 
reached  Cuba,  and  the  rebel  column  of  cavalry  was  driven 
before  them.  This  relieved  Gen.  Ewing,  who,  with  eight 
hundred  men  was  expecting  an  attack,  and  fearful  of  cap- 
ture. Col.  Fletcher  (since  governor  of  Missouri)  hailed 
with  delight  their  deliverance  by  the  timely  arrival  of  the 
Seventeenth. 

The  rebels  under  Price,  20,000  strong,  were  now  be- 
tween Rolla  and  St.  Louis,  on  their  way  to  capture  Jeiferson 
City.  They  had  seized  the  railroads  and  destroyed  the 
telegraph  lines.  No  orders  or  positive  information  could 
be  obtained.  Sanborn's  and  McNielPs  brigades  moved  out 
at  a  venture  towards  Jefferson  City,  on  a  race  to  reach  there 
before  Price  if  possible.  Scouts  reported  rebel  forces  mov- 
ing on  a  parallel  line  only  five  miles  away.  Federal  forces 
reached  the  city  a  few  hours  before  Price,  and  preparations 
were  hastily  made  for  a  vigorous  defence.  The  men  worked 
with  a  will,  for  the  rebels  outnumbered  them  three  to  one. 
Col.  Beveridge,  with  the  invincible  17th,  was  given  the  post 
of  honor  on  the  extreme  right.  Here  an  approach  in  force 
of  the  enemy,  from  the  nature  of  the  ground,  was  thought 
to  be  where  they  would  make  their  attack.  Gen.  Fisk  was 
in  chief  command.  All  the  commanders  of  the  brigades 


JOHN    L.   BEVERIDGE.  139 

were  encouraging  their  men,  and  a  bloody  struggle  was  ex- 
pected on  the  right.  The  artillery  of  the  enemy  opened  on 
the  center,  and  finding  the  federal  forces  well  posted  for 
defense,  moved  by  in  the  night,  heading  for  Booneville. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  Col.  Beveridge  discovered 
the  retreat  of  the  foe,  and  soon  was  following  them  in  pur- 
suit. Major  General  Pleasanton  having  assumed  chief 
command,  Col.  Beveridge  was  placed  in  command  of  the 
Second  Brigade,  the  command  oi  the  Seventeenth  devolving 
on  Major  Matlack. 

The  enemy  was  found  in  force  at  Booneville.  October 
llth  Gen.  Sanborn  directed  Col.  Beveridge  to  attack  with 
his  brigade  next  morning  at  daybreak.  The  order  of  battle 
was  arranged.  The  Fifth  Missouri  cavalry  was  followed  by 
the  Seventeenth  Illinois.  A  vigilant  foe  was  encountered, 
who  was  driven  more  than  a  mile,  the  Seventeenth  follow- 
ing, moving  to  the  front  as  the  Fifth  retired,  carrying  back 
its  wounded.  The  Seventeenth  was  posted  to  await  the 
attack  of  the  enemy,  who  had  been  reinforced.  Every  de- 
sired end  was  gained.  The  rebels'  attention  was  diverted 
to  the  front.  The  Seventeenth  moved  back  in  good  order, 
unobserved,  over  the  bridge  where  the  fight  first  began, 
Major  Matlack  being  the  last  man  over,  and  with  two 
orderlies,  tearing  up  the  plank  floor  so  as  to  prevent  artil- 
lery following.  Every  plan  was  carried  out,  the  rebels  were 
nonplussed,  and  they  evacuated  Booneville,  the  federals  not 
knowing  exactly  where  to  find  them.  The  Seventeenth  was 
ordered  to  move  out  in  advance  and  attack  any  rebel  force 
it  could  whip  on  the  road  to  Lexington.  The  rebels  did 
not  stop  at  Lexington.  The  brigades  of  McNiell,  Brown, 
Sanborn  and  Winslow*,  all  under  command  of  Pleasanton, 
moved  forward  rapidly,  overtaking  the  rebels  near  Inde- 


140  FIFTY    YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

pendence.  Col.  Beveridge,  now  again  at  the  head  of  the 
Seventeenth,  was  dismounted  and  deployed  on  the  left, 
moving  forward,  while  the  Thirteenth  Missouri  cavalry, 
supported  by  the  Seventh  Kansas  cavalry,  charged  on  the 
enemy,  capturing  their  cannon.  At  midnight  on  the  22nd 
the  whole  force  was  again  in  motion,  and  during  the  day 
the  Seventeenth  was  ordered  to 'attack  the  left  flank  of  the 
enemy,  and  proceeding  cautiously,  were  just  on  the  point  of 
charging  and  capturing  the  rebel  wagon  train  when  they 
were  recalled  by  Gen.  MoNiell,  and  its  best  opportunity  for 
distinction  was  -lost  for  that  day. 

Pushing  on  through  mud  and  rain  they  again  joined 
the  main  command  under  Pleasanton,  and  the  enemy  was 
again  overtaken,  and  at  early  dawn,  October  26th,  at  the 
battle  of  Mine  Creek,  Marniaduke  and  Cabell  were  cap- 
tured with  over  a  thousand  prisoners,  their  arms  and  ten 
pieces  of  artillery.  The  prisoners  were  passed  to  the  rear. 
The  tired  troopers,  without  stopping  to  rest,  pursued  the 
main  body  under  Price,  trying  again  to  get  up  with  them. 
Once  they  thought  they  had  them.  Gen.  McNiell  ordered  a 
sabre  charge,  but  the  rebels  fled  and  the  federals  pursued. 
Charging  ahead  on  their  jaded  horses,  a  few  miles  brought 
them  out  on  a  broad  rolling  prairie,  and  there  suddenly 
appeared  in  front  the  whole  main  army  of  Price  in  three 
lines  of  battle  with  supporting  columns.  It  was  a  grand 
and  imposing  scene  —  the  very  picture  and  poetry  of  war, 
every  man  of  that  fifteen  thousand  being  in  view.  The  fed- 
erals hastened  to  form  in  line  of  battle  and  advanced  boldly. 
Every  movement  was  seen.  Our  right  attacked  the  rebel 
lines.  The  rebels  massed  for  a  charge,  moving  forward 
with  screams  of  fury  on  the  federal  right  wing,  and  were 
greeted  with  shouts  of  defiance.  The  Seventeenth  was 


JOHN    L.    BEVERIDGE.  141 

ordered  from  the  extreme  left  to  strengthen  the  right  of  the 
center.  The  rebel  right  then  hurried  forward  to  flank  the 
federal  left.  Col.  Beveridge  rode  along  the  front  of  his 
regiment  to  give  the  last  directions :  "  BE  FIRM  NOW. 
When  they  are  in  short  range  empty  your  carbines,  give 
them  your  pistols  next,  then  draw  your  sabres,  and  let  every 
man  show  how  Illinois  serves  traitors."  Just  then  the 
music  of  the  federal  cannon  burst  in  full  chorus  from  the 
rear  of  the  beleagured  brigade,  throwing  shells  most  oppor- 
tunely over  into  the  charging  mass  of  rebels,  checking  and 
demoralizing  it.  This  check  permitted  the  Seventeenth  to 
return  to  its  former  position,  when  the  rebel  right  retired 
speedily  and  their  whole  line  fell  back. 

Near  sunset  Pleasanton  sent  an  order  to  charge  the 
whole  line.  McNiell  rode  up  to  Col.  Beveridge  saying : 
"  I  cannot  move  the  whole  line  with  my  voice.  My  aids 
are  nowhere  to  be  found,  give  me  a  lieutenant,  and  do  you, 
Colonel,  move  forward  the  Seventeenth  any  how."  Lieu- 
tenant Pollock  was  detailed  to  convey  orders  to  the  right, 
and  away  went  the  Seventeenth  alone,  half  a  mile  in 
advance  of  the  center  or  right.  With  only  about  three 
hundred  men  it  pushed  up  in  the  face  of  the  enemy,  who 
retired  as  it  approached.  The  brigade  encamped  on  the 
enemy's  ground,  and  the  rebels  fled  scattering.  The  Sev- 
enteenth returned  to  Holla.  They  had  left  there  a  month 
previous,  over  five  hundred  strong,  another  squadron  join- 
ing at  Jefferson  City.  Less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty 
mounted  men  came  back,  so  destructive  to  the  animals  had 
that  continuous  pursuit  been,  extending  over  forty  days. 
The  Seventeenth  had  carried  off  the  honors,  and  the  cam- 
paign was  ended.  Col.  Beveridge  was  breveted  brigadier 
general,  and  given  a  command  in  the  department  of  Missouri. 


142  FIFTY  YEAR'S  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Hynes  was  made  chief  of  cavalry  of 
North  Missouri,  on  General  Fisk's  staff,  but  was  soon  after 
given  a  sub-military  district,  with  headquarters  at  Pilot 
Knob.  Major  Hilliard  was  put  in  command  of  the  regi- 
ment. Major  Matlack  was  detailed  as  provost  marshal, 
district  of  St.  Louis.  Major  Fisher  was  made  chief  of  cav- 
alry for  district  of  Rolla.  Honors  followed  those  who  had 
followed  the  fortunes  of  the  glorious  Seventeenth.  The 
regiment  was  under  command  of  Col.  Hynes  at  Cape  Girar- 
deau  in  the  spring  of  1865.  The  rebellion  was  crushed 
east  of  the  Mississippi.  Jeff  Thompson  still  held  out  in 
Arkansas,  with  a  reported  force  of  60,000.  Gen.  Dodge, 
in  command  of  that  district,  sent  Capt.  Bennett  of  his  staff, 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Davis,  to  offer  Thompson  terms  of 
surrender.  The  Seventeenth  was  chosen  as  an  escort,  Col. 
Hynes  commanding,  Maj.  Hilliard  taking  part  of  the  regi- 
ment, each  having  four  companies.  These  marched  to 
Chalk  Bluffs,  Arkansas,  and  the  "  peace  commissioners/' 
with  an  escort  of  sixty  men,  went  forward,  and  on  May  9th, 
returned  with  Jeff  Thompson,  who  arranged  for  the  sur- 
render of  his  forces.  The  total  was  just  6,000.  They  were 
permitted  to  retire  to  their  homes.  This  was  the  last  armed 
force  of  the  rebellion.  The  Seventeenth  was  in  at  the  death, 
was  the  last  regiment  to  confront  a  rebel  force,  and  finis 
was  written  at  the  end  of  the  Confederate  chapter  of  events. 
After  this,  squadrons,  companies  and  battalions  of  the 
regiment  were  sent  to  departments  of  the  service ;  some  to 
the  plains  of  Kansas,  bordering  on  the  Indian  nations; 
some  to  Fort  Smith  to  aid  by  their  presence  the  authorities 
in  concluding  treaties  with  the  Indians  who  had  aided  the 
rebellion,  thus  again  acting  as  peace  commissioners  in 
another  department  of  the  rebellion. 


JOHN    L.   BEVERIDGE.  143 

The  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Fort  Leaven  worth/ 
February  6,  1866. 

General  Beveridge,  after  his  promotion,  March  7,  1865, 
was  ordered  to  St.  Louis  to  preside  over  a  military  commis- 
sion for  the  trial  of  military  offerfders,  and  was  finally 
mustered  out  of  service  February  6,  1866,  the  date  of 
muster  out  of  his  old  regiment. 

Returning  to  his  home  he  devoted  his  time  to  private 
business  and  some  law  practice  until  the  November  elec- 
tion of  1866,  when  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  Cook  county 
for  the  next  two  years  When  his  term  expired,  in  1868, 
he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate,  for  a  term  of  two  years, 
ending  in  1870,  then  was  elected  to  Congress  for  one  term, 
when  he  was  nominated  on  the  state  republican  ticket  as 
candidate  for  lieutenant-governor,  with  Governor  Oglesby 
at  the  head  of  the  ticket. 

The  ticket  was  elected  by  a  large  majority,  and  the  fol- 
lowing January  he  was  installed  into  the  office  and  held  the 
position  as  presiding  officer  of  the  senate,  when  Governor 
Oglesby  being  elected  tq  the  United  States  senate,  General 
Beveridge  succeeded  him  as  governor,  and  was  duly  inau- 
gurated, serving  four  years,  until  succeeded  by  Hon.  Shelby 
M.  Cullom  in  January,  1877. 

Gov.  Beveridge's  administration  of  affairs  was  vigorous, 
just  and  impartial,  showing  statesmanship  of  a  high  order. 
We  have  no  space  to  devote  to  mention  special  measures 
that  were  promoted  during  his  term.  They  were  all  in  the 
interest  of  the  state,  and  he  will  be  accorded  in  history  a 
place  among  the  ablest  executives  of  our  great  state. 

In  1878  he  was  appointed  by  President  Hayes  sub- 
treasurer  at  Chicago,  where  he  is  keeper  of  the  keys  to  the 
vaults  that  hold  the  millions  of  the  government  treasure 


144 

that  is  deposited  there.  In  October  last,  while  in  Chicago 
on  business  connected  with  our  present  work,  we  called  on 
him  at  his  cozy  quarters  in  the  government  buildings  in 
Chicago.  'We  had  met  him  but  once  since  his  retire- 
ment from  his  duties  as  governor,  and  did  not  know  that 
he  could  recognize  old  friends  when  so  many  faces  are  pass- 
ing before  him  every  day.  Taking  on  the  air  of  a  stranger 
we  presented  ourself  in  front  of  the  strong  door  of  his 
castle  —  the  treasure  box, —  asked  to  be  admitted,  and  was 
shown  in  by  the  attendant  to  the  governor's  inner  sanctum. 
We  didn't  have  to  introduce  ourself;  not  a  bit  of  it.  As 
we  entered  he  was  on  his  feet  in  a  moment,  greeted  us  by 
name,  a  chair  was  handed,  and  we  sat  down  to  talk  over  old 
times,  business  or  other  matters  that  were  presented.  Soon 
another  caller  was  announced  and  was  admitted,  proving  to 
be  Postmaster  Kendall,  of  Geneseo,  and  an  old  friend  of 
the  governor's.  Soon  he  said  to  us,  "  Come  with  me  to  see 
where  Uncle  Sam's  millions ,  are  kept,"  and  leading  the 
way,  we  entered.  Well,  the  "  stacks  and  cords  "  of  money 
that  are  piled  up  there,  $13,000,000  in  all,— $1,000  bags  of 
silver,  $5,000  bags  of  gold,  cords  of  it.  Then,  turning  to 
another  part  of  the  vaults,  he  handed  us  four  packages  of 
notes,  bills  — silver  certificates,  that  is  what  they  were, 
$1,000  each  note  — $1.000,000  in  each  package.  We 
handled  them,  put  them  in  our  overcoat  pocket,  then  didn't 
feel  a  bit  rich ;  we  wasn't  a  millionaire  yet,  but  these  mil- 
lions, by  any  one  who  in  time  would  be  entitled  to  them, 
could  be,  all  four  of  them,  put  into  a  side  pocket  and  carried 
away.  Such  is  the  argument  in  favor  of  paper  money, 
based  on  specie;  while  right  along  side  there  laid  the 
wagon-loads  of  bags  of  silver,  of  which  a  $1,000  bag  was 
a  heavy  load  to  carry,  and  a  $5,000  bag  of  gold,  though 


JOHN   L.    BEVERIDGE.  145 

not  so  heavy,  would,  in  time  become  cumbersome,  and 
weary  a  man  to  carry  it  round.  So  much  for  the  half- 
hour  spent  in  Uncle  Sam's  strong  box  with  the  faithful 
custodian  in  charge,  —  our  old  friend,  Captain,  Major, 
Colonel,  General,  Senator,  Member  of  Congress,  Gov- 
ernor,—  and  now  Sub-Treasurer  of  the  United  States — 
John  L.  Beveridge,  the  gentleman,  the  soldier  and  states- 
man, whom  we  wish  many  added  years  of  life  to  enjoy  the 
trust  and  confidence  reposed  in  him. 


10 


SHELBY  M.  OULLOM. 

SIXTEENTH  GOVERNOR  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Tribute  to  the  genius  of  our  government  —  Place  of  nativity  — 
Parents  remove  to  Illinois  —  Hard  work  and  meager  educa- 
tion —  Earns  money  to  attend  Mount  Morris  Seminary  —  111 
health  from  hard  study  —  Returns  home  and  resumes  farm 
labor  —  Recovers  his  health  — Goes  to  Springfield  to  study 
.  iaw  _  Admitted  to  practice  —  Elected  city  attorney  —  Mem- 
ber of  legislature  —  Again  in  1860,  and  elected  speaker  — 
Appointed  government  commissioner  —  elected  to  congress 
—  Serves  three  terms  —  Elected*  to  legislature  amd  again 
speaker  —  Elected  governor  in  1876— Again  in  1880— Friendly 
contest  for  the  United  States  senatorship  —  His  competitors 
—  Is  elected  —  Resigns  his  office. 

Oar  country,  with  its  broad  and  yet  expanding  bound- 
aries, noble  institutions,  its  freedom  of  government,  a 
liberty-inherited  boon  from  our  fathers ;  its  people,  so  pros- 
perous and  happy,  from  the  wise  and  discreet  management 
of  trusted  public  servants  selected  for  executive  positions 
after  serving  their  state  faithfully  in  other  branches  of  the 
public  service, —  this  regular  advancement  is  nowhere  so 
fully  exemplified  as  in  the  sketches  we  have  given  of  the 
men  called  to  govern  the  state  in  the  past  sixty-five  years. 
Without  an  exception  each  rose  to  their  high  position  by 
their  own  efforts,  through  toil,  privation  and  discourage- 
ments, that,  but  for  indomitable  perseverance,  would  have 
been  insurmountable.  The  subject  of  our  present  sketch  is 
no  exception  to  this  rule. 


SHELBY  M.  CULLOM.  147 

Shelby  M.  Cullom  was  born  Nov.  22,  1829,  at  Monti- 
cello,  Wayne  county,  Kentucky.  His  father  and  mother, 
Richard  Northcraft  Cullom  and  Elizabeth  Cullom,  moved 
from  Kentucky  to  Tazewell  county,  Illinois,  with  their 
family  in  1830,  and  settled  in  the  vicinity  where  Grove- 
land  now  is.  Young  Cullom,  when  he  attained  age  and 
youthful  vigor  sufficient,  assisted  his  father  in  working  the 
farm  in  summer  and  autumn,  and  feeding  stock  mornings 
and  evenings  in  winter,  attending  the  country  school  dur- 
ing the  day  time.  This  he  followed  till  nineteen  years  old, 
when  he  left  home  and  entered  Mount  Morris  Seminary, 
remaining  there  for  two  years,  when  he  returned  .home  on 
account  of  poor  health. 

Before  going  to  Mount  Morris  he  drove  his  father's  ox 
team  in  breaking  prairie  for  several  months,  and  thereby 
earned  sufficient  money  to  pay  his  school  expenses.  After 
leaving  the  seminary  he  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until 
he  recovered  his  health,  when  he  entered  the  law  office  of 
Stuart  &  Edwards  at  Springfield,  and  began  the  study  of 
law.  He  made  rapid  progress  in  his  studies,  and  soon  after 
his  admission  to  the  bar  was  elected  city  attorney.  The 
presidential  campaign  of  1856  coming  on,  Mr.  Cullom  was 
placed  on  the  Fillmore  electoral  ticket,  and  during  the  same 
canvass  was  nominated  as  the  Union  candidate  of  the 
Fillmore  and  republican  parties  as  a  candidate  for  repre- 
sentative to  the  state  legislature,  was  elected,  and  at  the 
opening  of  the  session,  January  1857,  was  voted  for  as 
speaker  by  his  wing  of  the  opposition  party  in  the  legisla- 
ture. 

The  legislature  of  1856—7  was  an  exceedingly  strong 
one.  Gen.  John  A.  Logan  was  the  Ajax  of  the  democracy, 
leading  them  in  their  onslaught  on  Gov.  Bissell,  and  Isaac 


148  FIFTY   YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS.  ' 

N.  Arnold,  of  Cook,  and  others  championed  the  republicans. 
It  was  a  continuous  field  day  from  the  opening  to  the  clos- 
ing of  the  session,  and  our  young  member,  among  others, 
was  distinguished  by  his  industry  in  promoting  legislation. 

In  1860  he  was  again  elected  to  the  legislature,  and 
upon  the  opening  of  the  session  in  January  1861,  was 
elected  Speaker  of  the  house,  and  presided  during  the  session 
with  marked  ability  and  impartiality.  Before  the  conclu- 
sion of  this  session  it  was  very  evident  that  the  Southern 
States  would  inaugurate  a  rebellion,  and  when  the  legisla- 
ture adjourned  in  March  all  understood  that  there  would 
be  a  call  for  an  extraordinary  session  at  an  early  day,  to 
provide  for  the  emergency  in  raising  troops  to  resist  and 
conquer  the  rebels.  This  extra  session  was  called  by  Gov. 
Yates,  by  proclamation  April  15th,  and!  met  April  23d,  re- 
maining in  session  ten  days,  their  work  being  chiefly  de- 
voted to  placing  the  state  in  a  position  of  defense,  and  to 
meet  the  requisitions  of  the  general  government  to  repel 
invasion,  suppress  rebellion,  and  prepare  for  the  exigencies 
of  war.  In  this  hasty,  but  necessary,  legislation,  Speaker 
Cullom  rendered  very  efficient  service,  and  Illinois  was 
placed  on  a  martial  footing  that  was  maintained  through- 
out the  war. 

In  1862  he  was  appointed  by  President  Lincoln  on  a 
commission  with  Gov.  Boutwell  of  Massachusetts,  and 
Charles  A.  Dana  of  New  York,  to  go  to  Cairo,  Illinois,  and 
examine  into  the  accounts  of  quartermasters  and  commis- 
sary officers,  and  settle  claims  against  the  government.  In 
this  adjustment  of  the  state's  account  with  the  general 
government,  he  rendered  valuable  service. 

In  1864  Mr.  Cullom  was  nominated  by  the  republicans 
of  his  district  as  their  candidate  for  Congress,  and  although 
the  district  had  given  eighteen  hundred  democratic  major- 


SHELBY  M.  CULLOM.  149 


ity  two  years  before,  he  carried  it  by  nearly  the  same 
majority,  defeating  John.T.  Stuart,  his  old  law  preceptor. 

He  was  elected  to  Congress  for  three  successive  terms, 
from  1864  to  1870,  leaving  his  seat  March  4, 1871.  In  the 
convention  of  1870  the  republicans  of  the  district  became 
involved  in  the  sectional  contest  between  Springfield  and 
Bloomington,  their  respective  champions  being  General 
McNulta  of  Bloomington,  and  Mr.  Cullom  of  Springfield. 
The  contest  in  the  convention  was  long  and  acrimonious,  a 
recess  was  taken,  and  when  the  convention  again  met,  after 
the  first  ballots  showing  same  result,  McNulta  withdrew, 
and  Col.  Jonathan  Merriam  was  presented  and  nominated. 
Owing  to  the  unpleasant  feeling  rising  from  this  long  and 
bitter  contest  the  republicans  were  beaten  in  the  district, 
and  the  democrats  have  retained  the  ascendancy  in  the 
Springfield  congressional  district  ever  since. 

On  his  return  from  Congress  in  1871  the  State  Na- 
tional Bank  of  Springfield  was  organized,  and  he  was  elected 
its  president.  In  1872  the  republicans  of  the  Sangamon 
district  again  demanded  that  he  should  go  back  to  the  legis- 
lature as  a  member  of  the  house,  and  he  was  again  returned 
to  that  body,  and  by  the  unanimous  call  of  the  republican 
members  was  re-elected  speaker,  and  served  with  great 
acceptability  during  the  session  of  1873. 

He  was  again  elected  to  the  house  in  1874,  and  presented 
by  the  republicans  as  their  candidate  for  speaker,  but  the 
democrats  and  independents  formed  a  combination  and 
elected  their  candidate,  Mr.  Cullom  being  defeated  by  only 
a  few  votes  majority  for  the  coalition  candidate.  Mr.  Cullom 
proved  a  very  efficient  member  of  the  house  for  the  session 
of  1875,  commending  himself  by  his  attention  to  the  interests 
of  the  state. 


150  FIFTY  TEAKS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

At  the  Republican  State  Convention  of  1876  he  was 
nominated  for  governor  over  Governor  Beveridge,  who 
again  sought  the  honor.  His  democratic-independent 
combination  competitor  was  Hon.  Lewis  Steward,  who 
bringing  to  his  support  the  opposition  to  the  republicans 
from  all  sources  was  defeated  by  Cullom  by  near  seven 
thousand  majority. 

Governor  Cullom  was  inaugurated  in  January  1877,  and 
his  executive  duties  were  so  well  performed  during  the  four 
succeeding  years  that  on  the  assembling  of  the  Republican 
State  Convention  of  1880,  although  his  competitors  were 
among  the  ablest  and  best  men  in  the  state,  he  was  nomi- 
nated for  re-election,  and  again  elected  over  Hon.  Lyman 
Trumbull,  the  democratic  candidate,  by  near  38,000  major- 
ity, thus  showing  that  the  people  of  the  state  endorsed  his 
previous  four  years  administration  by  a  largely  increased 
majority.  During  both  these  canvasses  Gov.  Cullom  was 
actively  engaged  in  behalf  of  the  principles  he  represented, 
and  visited  almost  every  county  in  the  state,  speaking  to 
the  people  in  advocacy  of  his  state  policy,  which  showed 
every  debt  paid,  a  large  balance  in  the  state  treasury,  and 
the  people  enjoying  general  prosperity.  In  1882  it  was 
clearly  manifest  that  a  large  section  of  the  republican  party 
would  ask  Gov.  Cullom  to  submit  his  name  to  the  legisla- 
ture as  a  candidate  for  the  United  States  Senate  to  succeed 
Hon.  David  Davis,  whose  term  would  expire  March  4, 1883, 
thus  expressing  renewed  confidence  in  his  ability  to  repre- 
sent the  state  in  the  most  august  and  imposing  legislative 
body  in  the  world. 

It  was  early  understood  that  his  chief  competitor  would 
be  Gen.  Green  B.  Raurn,  the  able  and  efficient  commissioner 
of  internal  revenue  since  1877,  and  that  gentleman  during 


SHELBY  M.  CULLOM.  151 

the  canvass  of  1882  traversed  the  state,  making  many  able 
speeches,  "  building  well  his  political  fences,"  making  his 
impress  on  the  constituency  of  the  republican  members  to 
be  elected,  and  enlisted  considerable  enthusiasm  in  his  favor, 
and  it  was  thought  that  his  chances  were  exceedingly  good. 
Ex-Gov.  Oglesby  also  did  some  very  effective  work  in  the 
campaign,  evincing  unabated  vigor  as  a  speaker,  and  aroused 
considerable  enthusiasm  wherever  he  addressed  an  audience. 
He  was  also  understood  to  have  senatorial  aspirations  again, 
"  his  eye  to  the  weather  gage,  and  his  sails  hoisted "  to 
catch  favoring  breezes  by  securing  a  republican  majority  in 
the  legislature,  and  the  largest  number  of  that  majority 
favorable  to  himself  as  senator.  A  republican  majority  was 
secured,  and  then  a  friendly  contest  among  the  competing 
statesmen  and  their  friends  for  the  legislative  nomination 
was  inaugurated,  and  when  the  legislature  met  at  Springfield 
in  January  last,  another  "  Richmond  "  appeared  in  the  field  in 
the  person  of  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Henderson,  and  for  some  two 
weeks  quite  an  animated  canvass  among  the  members  of  the 
legislature  was  carried  forward  by  the  gentlemen  themselves, 
and  the  friends  who  interested  themselves  in  their  behalf, 
in  the  corridors,  rooms  and  halls  of  the  Leland  House.  It 
was  quite  evident  from  the  outset  that  Gov.  Cullom's  star 
was  in  the  ascendent,  and  when  the  republican  legislative 
senatorial  caucus  convened  he  was  nominated  and  his  elec- 
tion followed  on  the  day  set  apart,  and  on  the  6th  day  of 
February  following  he  resigned  the  office  of  governor  and 
was  succeeded,  under  the  constitution,  by  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor  Hamilton. 

He  was  sworn  in  as  senator  of  the  United  States  from 
Illinois,  March  4th,  1883,  for  six  years,  and  his  previous 
official  career  promises  a  brilliant  legislative  success  in 
serving  .the  interests  of  the  state  and  nation. 


JOHN  M.  HAMILTON. 


SEVENTEENTH  GOVERNOR  OF   ILLINOIS. 


Nativity  and  parentage  —  Youthful  home  in  Illinois  —  Aptitude 
in  learning  —  Volunteers  in  the  service  —  Experience  with 
guerillas  and  bushwhackers  —  Returns  from  the  army  — 
Teaches  school  — Enters  Ohio  Wesleyan  University  —  Grad- 
uates —  Teaches  an  academy  at  Henry  — Goes  to  Blooming- 
ton  —  Commences  study  of  law  —  Occupies  chair  of  professor 
of  languages  —  Admitted  to  the  bar  —  Law  partnership  — 
Very  successful  —  Elected  to  state  senate  —  His  methods  in 
the  canvass  —  Takes  a  leading  part  in  legislation  —-Procures 
the  passage  of  important  laws  —  Elected  president  of  the 
senate  —  Nominated  and  elected  lieutenant-governor  —  Gives 
general  satisfaction — United  States  senatorship  contest  — 
Gov.  Cullom  elected  —  Hamilton  succeeds  as  governor. 

It  is  in  the  light  of  history  and  fact  that  we  have  tried 
to  present  the  leading  characteristics  of  the  men  that  the 
voice  of  the  people  have  called  to  stand  at  the  helm  of  state, 
for  each  consecutive  term,  as  constitutionally  provided  for, 
in  the  past  sixty-five  years. 

John  Marshall  Hamilton  was  born  at  Richwood,  Union 
county,  Ohio,  May  28th,  1847.  His  parents  were  Samuel 
Hamilton  and  Nancy,  formerly  Miss  Nancy  McMorris,  of 
Virginia. 

He  came  to  Illinois  with  his  parents  in  1854,  residing 
with  them  at  their  home  farm  near  Wen.ona,  Marshall 
county.  As  a  boy  and  youth  he  was  studious,  attending 
country  school,  and  at  Wenona,  when  his  school  studies 


JOHN   M.  HAMILTON.  153 

did  not  occupy  his  time,  he  assisted  at  the  farm  work  just 
as  persistently  and  perse veringly  as  he  did  at  his  studies  in 
school.  At  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  strength  and  stature 
scarce  fitted  him  for  enduring  the  hardships  of  a  soldier,  he 
enlisted  in  the  77th  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry, 
but  being  so  young  was  rejected  by  the  officers,  and  after 
remaining  awhile  with  the  regiment  he  returned  to  his 
father's  home,  and  in  the  spring  of  1864  enlisted  in  the 
141st  Illinois  Infantry,  Co.  I,  and  served  with  that  regi- 
ment in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  chiefly  in  guerilla  war- 
fare, until  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  in  the  fall  of 
1864.  This  was  a  more  dangerous  service  than  meeting  an 
enemy  in  the  open  field,  as  these  guerillas  and  bushwhackers 
were  to  be  sought  in  the  mountain  fastnesses,  very  fre- 
quently ambushing  the  troops,  employing  treacherous  de- 
coys to  lead  the  troops  into  dangerous  places. 

Returning  from  the  army,  bronzed  by  camp  life,  and 
still  ambitious  to  climb  the  rugged  heights  of  knowledge 
and  science,  he  made  his  arrangements  to  pursue  his  studies, 
the  war  having  interrupted  and  broke  in  upon  them  just  at 
the  time  when  he  began  to  be  interested  in  them.  He 
taught  district  school  six  months  and  then  entered  the 
Ohio  Wesleyan  University,  at  Delaware,  where  he  grad- 
uated with  honor  in  1868,  in  his  twenty-first  year.  From 
1868  to  1869  he  taught  an  academy  at  Henry,  Marshall 
county,  111.  In  1869  he  located  at  Bloomington,  commenc- 
ing the  study  of  law. 

While  thus  engaged  he  varied  the  tedium  of  his  law 
studies  by  filling  the  chair  of  professor  of  languages  in  the 
Wesleyan  college  at  Bloomington.  With  close  application 
to  his  law  studies,  when  his  duties  at  the  college  permitted, 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1870,  and  soon  after  formed 


154  FIFTY  TEAKS'  KECOKLECTIONS. 

a  partnership  with  Captain  J.  H.  Rowell  (recently  elected 
to  Congress),  which  connection  continued  until  the  official 
duties  of  each  sundered  their  legal  business  relations 
(one  entered  Congress,  the  other  the  executive  chair,  at  the 
same  time).  They  built  up  an  extensive  practice  in  the 
twelve  years  from  1870  to  1882,  which  is  in  itself  the  best 
evidence  of  the  ability  and  energy  of  both  members  of  the 
firm. 

In  1876,  when  in  his  twenty-eighth  year,  he  was  elected 
to  the  state  senate,  showing  the  great  partiality  of  the  peo- 
ple of  McLean  county  for  their  almost  youthful  citizen. 
He  was  an  indomitable  worker  in  that  canvass,  as  in  every 
other  since,  and  was  elected  over  the  combined  opposition 
by  near  2,000  majority  distancing  all  other  candidates.  It 
was  the  author's  pleasure  to  meet  him  while  engaged  in  this 
canvass.  He  had  not  forgotten  any  of  his  farmer-boy  days, 
in  his  methods,  while  out  among  the  boys  in  the  "  rooral 
deestricks."  John  could  talk  agriculture,  act  it,  illustrate 
it  by  going  into  the  fields  and  taking  a  hand,  or  at  least, 
showing  how  it  was  done.  The  farmers  of  that  county  have 
stood  by  him  ever  since. 

On  taking  his  seat  in  the  senate,  in  January,  1877,  he 
addressed  himself  to  his  duties  with  earnestness  and  indus- 
try. His  influence  was  soon  felt  in  directing  and  guiding 
legislation,  that  won  for  him  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
his  fellow  members,  and  his  influence  was  so  great  that  he 
was  generally  selected  to  introduce  important  bills  that 
required  tact  and  management  in  securing  their  passage. 

The  State  Bar  Association,  through  their  committee,  of 
which  Hamilton  was  a  member,  prepared  a  bill  for  the 
establishment  of  the  appellate  court,  and  selected  Mr. 
Hamilton  to  introduce  and  procure  its  passage  through  the 


JOHN    M.  HAMILTON.  155 

senate.  This  division  of  judicial  labor  was  absolutely  nec- 
essary to  relieve  the  supreme  court  of  the  vast  amount  of 
business  that  was  accumulating  each  succeeding  year.  The 
establishment  of  this  court  gave  the  state  one  third  more 
circuit  judges  than  before,  with  three  judges  elected  in  each 
district,  and  one  of  these  was  to  be  selected  and  set  apart  for 
appellate  duty,  and  was  at  the  same  time  to  perform  such 
circuit  duty  as  his  terms  in  the  appellate  court  would  per- 
mit, thus  facilitating  the  legal  business  of  the  state. 

He  was  also  the  champion  and  introducer  of  the  bill 
proposed  by  the  State  Medical  Society,  establishing  the 
state  board  of  health,  which  like  the  other  measure,  has 
proven  a  great  benefit  to  the  state. 

In  fact,  during  his  senatorial  term,  scarcely  a  great 
measure  was  passed  through  the  senate  without  bearing  the 
impress  of  his  directing  and  shaping  hand.  In  the  great 
fight  over  the  reorganization  of  the  state  militia,  his  genius 
as  a  tactician  and  parliamentarian  was  eminently  displayed. 

Upon  the  assembling  of  the  Thirty-First  General  As- 
sembly he  was  the  recipient  of  a  compliment  seldom  ac- 
corded to  any  but  old  members  after  years  of  faithful  ser- 
vice. He  was  unanimously  chosen  by  the  republicans  as 
their  choice  for  president  pro  tern,  of  the  senate.  In  this 
position  he  displayed  rare  qualifications  as  a  presiding 
officer  by  his  wide  and  extensive  knowledge  of  parliament- 
ary law.  He  was  strictly  impartial  in  his  rulings,  cour- 
teous, winning  the  commendation  of  his  fellow  senators 
without  regard  to  political  differences.  As  a  public  speaker 
and  efficient  legislative  manager  few  were  more  successful 
in  facilitating  business. 

By  this  great  ability  he  rose  rapidly  in  the  good  opinion 
of  the  people,  foreshadowing  the  advancement  that  has 


156  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

since  been  accorded  him.  No  man  has  risen  more  rapidly 
in  the  general  estimation  by  reason  of  ability,  weight  of 
influence,  and  fearlessness. 

Need  we  wonder  then,  that  in  casting  about  for  a  suit- 
able and  able  man  to  be  placed  on  the  state  ticket  in  1880  by 
the  republicans  as  their  candidate  for  lieutenant-governor, 
that  the  name  of  John  M.  Hamilton  would  be  one  of  the 
most  prominent.  There  were  men  of  ability  that  contested 
with  him  for  the  honor  of  the  nomination,  but  on  the  as- 
sembling of  the  republican  convention  May  21,  1880,  he 
was  selected  by  a  large  majority  on  the  first  ballot,  Hon. 
Shelby  M.  Cullom  heading  the  state  ticket  for  governor. 

He  rendered  efficient  service  in  the  campaign  of  1880, 
taking  the  whole  state  for  his  field  of  labor,  resulting  in 
the  success  of  the  entire  state  ticket,  a  republican  legisla- 
ture, and  the  legislature  of  the  following  winter,  as  will  be 
seen,  has  advanced  the  interests  of  the  state.  As  president 
of  the  senate  he  won  and  commanded  the  entire  respect  of 
senators  for  firmness  and  rapid  dispatch  of  business. 

He  again  entered  the  canvass  of  1882,  speaking  about 
thirty  times  from  the  stump  in  all  parts  of  the  state  with 
success,  and  was  often  named  as  a  candidate  for  the  United 
States  senate,  but  when  consulted  in  regard  to  presenting 
his  name  always  peremptorily  refused,  being  content  to 
serve  the  state  where  the  suffrages  of  the  people  under  the 
•constitution  had  placed  him. 

During  the  canvass  of  1882  it  early  became  apparent 
that  Governor  Cullom's  prospect  for  being  chosen  United 
States  senator  was  bright,  if  not  positively  certain.  Sev- 
eral gentlemen  were  more  active  in  canvassing  the  state 
than  Gov.  Cullom,  but  he  had  made  such  a  good  record  in 
the  six  years  that  he  had  exercised  the  functions  of  his 


JOHN    M.  HAMILTON.  157 

high  office  that  the  large  majority  of  republicans  of  the 
state  were  heartily  and  enthusiastically  in  his  favor  for 
United  States  senator. 

Upon  the  assembling  of  the  legislature  in  January, 
1883,  the  senatorial  contest  was  renewed.  The  several 
aspirants  had  warm  friends  among  the  members  and  also 
from  the  third  estate  —  the  lobby, —  and  for  some  days  the 
contest  was  animated,  but  conducted  with  the  greatest  good 
feeling  between  the  competitors  and  their  friends,  until 
the  time  of  the  party  canvass,  when  Gov.  Cullom  was 
nominated,  and  subsequently,  at  the  joint  meeting  of  the 
legislature  held  for  that  purpose,  was  elected. 

Gov.  Hamilton  assumed  the  gubernatorial  office  Feb- 
ruary 6th,  1883,  enjoying  the  respect  of  the  people  of  the 
state.  It  is  too  early  in  his  official  career  to  outline  the 
future,  but  judging  from  his  brief,  brilliant  and  successful 
career,  we  may  safely  take  a  horoscopic  view  of  the  near 
political  future,  and  find  outlined  a  satisfactory  official 
career  in  fulfilling  the  duties  of  his  high  position  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  people  of  our  great  state. 


ABEAHAM  LINCOLN. 


Early  History.— Whig  State  Convention  at  Peoria,  1844.—  Grand 
Array  of  Talent  —Congressional  Canvass,  1846  —  The  Senato- 
rial Canvass  of  1858  —  His  Springfield  Speech  —  At  Chicago 
—At  Peoria— Henry. 

There  is  not  much  in  the  early  life  of  Abraham  Lincoln 
to  stir  the  imagination  of  the  reader.  There  is  nothing  to 
rouse  up  wonderful  enthusiasm  in  the  humble  processes  of 
his  education ;  his  experiences  of  hardships ;  his  early 
struggles  with  the  rough  forces  of  nature  among  which  he 
was  born.  Indeed,  we  would  be  trespassing  on  the  domain 
of  history  written  by  others  if  we  attempted  to  give  even  a 
brief  history  of  his  early  life,  which  has  been  so  well  and 
ably  written  by  others,  among  them  the  campaign  biogra- 
phies of  Scripps,  Raymond  and  Barrett,  the  writings  of 
Ward  H.  Lamon,  Esq.,  and  Hon.  Isaac  N.  Arnold;  also, 
"Life  of  Abraham  Lincoln,"  by  J.  G.  Holland  ;  Carpenter's 
41  Reminiscences,"  and  later,  the  "  Life  and  Public  Services 
of  Abraham  Lincoln,"  by  J.  Carroll  Power,  to  the  excel- 
lence of  all  these  we  bear  cheerful  testimony. 

Our  u  Recollections "  of  Mr.  Lincoln  must  be  confined 
in  the  main,  to  our  personal  acquaintance  with  him,  which 
commenced  at  the  Mass  Whig  State  Convention,  held  at 
Peoria,  in  June,  1844.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  among  the  "big 
guns  "  in  the  grand  array  of  eminent  statesmen  and  eloquent 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  159 

speakers  present  on  that  occasion ;  a  galaxy  of  bright  par- 
ticular stars  in  the  constellation  of  talent  and  patriotism, 
numbering  among  them  Gen.  John  J.  Hardin,  who  after- 
wards fell  at  Buena  Vista,  Colonel  Edward  D.  Baker, 
who  gave  up  his  life  at  Ball's  Bluff  during  the  Rebellion, 
John  T.  Stuart,  Stephen  T.  Logan,  Jesse  K.  Dubois,  U.  F. 
Linder,  O.  H.  Browning,  Joseph  Gillespie,  Archie  Williams, 
Jackson  Griinshaw,  T.  Lisle  Smith,  Martin  P.  Sweet,  Ben. 
Bond,  Richard  Yates,  T.  Lyle  Dickey,  Lincoln  B.  Knowl- 
ton,  D.  M.  Woodson,  Wm.  H.  Henderson,  and  a  host  of 
others  who  came  up  to  this  grand  council  in  the  interests  of 
Clay  and  Frelinghuysen,  the  Whig  standard  bearers  in 
that  memorable  campaign.  In  addition  to  these  tL?re 
were  present  Caleb  B.  Smith,  Henry  S.  Lane,  and  sever1  y 
other  Indiana  orators,  then  and  since  known  to  fame,  ana 
from  Missouri  there  were  the  renowned  and  eloquent  Dr. 
E.  C.  McDowell,  Don  Morrison,  and  many  others. 

Among  all  this  brilliant  array  called  to  address  the  con- 
vention during  the  two  days'  sessions,  none  attracted  greater 
and  more  marked  attention  than  Mr.  Lincoln.  Dr.  Mc- 
Dowell, Caleb  B.  Smith,  Edward  D.  Baker  and  Gen. 
Hardin  made  their  speeches  before  him.  All  made  grand 
speeches  and  were  loudly  applauded.  Gen.  Hardin  was 
then  the  member  of  Congress  from  this  district,  and  Col. 
Baker  the  candidate  for  the  succession. 

It  is  among  the  brightest  recollections  of  that  day  when 
Mr.  Lincoln  took  the  stand.  He  did  not,  on .  rising,  show 
his  full  height,  stood  rather  in  a  stooping  posture,  his  long- 
tailed  coat  hanging  loosely  round  his  body,  descending 
round  and  over  an  ill-fitting  pair  of  pantaloons  that  cov- 
ered his  not  very  symmetrical  legs.  He  commenced  his 
speech  in  a  rather  diffident  manner,  even  seemed  for  a  while 


160  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

at  a  loss  for  words,  his  voice  was  irregular,  a  little  tremu- 
lous, as  at  first  he  began  his  argument  by  laying  down  his 
propositions.  As  he  proceeded  he  seemed  to  gain  more 
confidence,  his  body  straightened  up,  his  countenance 
brightened,  his  language  became  free  and  animated,  as, 
during  this  time  he  had  illustrated  his  argument  by  two  or 
three  well- told  stories,  that  drew  the  attention  of  the 
thousands  of  his  audience  to  every  word  he  uttered.  Then 
he  became  eloquent,  carrying  the  swaying  crowd  at  his  will, 
who,  at  every  point  he  made  in  his  forcible  argument, 
were  tumultuous  in  their  applause.  His  subject  was^  the 
exposition  of  the  protective  system,  —  the  tariff,  —  the 
method  of  raising  a  revenue  by  a  system  of  duties  levied 
'"'j.  foreign  importations,  which  at  the  same  time  would 
afford  protection  to  American  industries.  Mr.  Lincoln 
spoke  a  little  over  an  hour.  His  arguments  were  unan- 
swerable. This  speech  raised  him  to  the  proudest  height 
to  which  he  had  ever  before  attained.  He  had  greatly 
strengthened  the  Whig  organization  in  the  state  and  estab- 
lished his  reputation  as  one  of  the  most  powerful  political 
debaters  in  the  country. 

This  speech  showed  to  the  people  that  he  had  thoroughly 
mastered  all  the  great  questions  of  the  day,  and  brought  to 
their  discussion  closeness  and  soundness  of  logic,  with 
numerous  facts,  clinched  by  the  most  elaborate  and  pow- 
erful arguments.  This  conclusion,  it  is  among  my  recol- 
lections, we  arrived  at  after  enjoying  this  grand  field 
day,  hearing  the  most  gifted  of  Illinois  statesmen  discuss 
all  the  great  questions  of  the  day,  and  we  left  with  the 
thousands  of  others,  for  their  homes,  with  the  firm  belief 
and  conviction  that  Abraham  Lincoln  was  the  foremost 
statesman  in  Illinois,  and  would,  at  that  time,  have  been 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  161 

willing  to  vote  for  him  for  any  position  from  Congressman 
to  President  of  the  United  States,  both  of  which  privileges 
were  enjoyed  in  after  years. 

We  have  said  before  that  Gen.  John  J.  Hardin,  of  Jack- 
sonville, was  the  Whig  member  of  Congress  in  this  district 
in  1844,  and  Col.  Ed.  D.  Baker  was  now  the  candidate  to 
succeed  Hardin.  He  was  elected  and  served  his  term, 
which  brings  our  "Recollections"  up  to  the  Congressional 
canvass  of  1846,  when  Mr.  Lincoln  received  the  nomina- 
tion under  an  arrangement  or  understanding  between  the 
friends  of  the  three  gentlemen,  that  neither  should  antago- 
nize the  nomination  of  the  other,  and  that  each  in  turn 
should  be  elected  for  two  years,  from  1842  to  1848.  The 
district  being  whig  by  a  large  majority,  it  was  perfectly 
safe  to  make  that  arrangement. 

After  his  nomination  in  1846  he  entered  on  his  canvass, 
the  custom  then  as  it  is  now.  There  being  no  railroads 
at  that  time  the  candidates  traveled  in  their  own  convey- 
ances. He  came  to  Marshall  county,  where  at  that  time  we 
resided  on  the  farm  in  Henry  precinct,  near  the  boundary 
line  of  LaFayette  precinct.  Being  the  central  location,  a 
grove  of  fine  trees  near  father's  house  was  selected  as  the 
meeting  place  of  the  citizens  of  the  two  precincts  located 
on  the  west  side  of  the  river. 

He  came  after  dinner,  accompanied  by  Dr.  Robert  Boal, 
now  of  Peoria,  Ira  I.  Fenn,  Henry  L.  Crane,  D.  D. 
Dickinson,  and  many  other  citizens  of  Lacon,  at  which 
place  he  had  spoken  the  day  previous.  Mr.  Lincoln  and 
his  friends  were  in  high  spirits.  He  had  abundant  mate- 
rial for  discussion.  During  the  winter  of  1845  Texas  was 
admitted  to  the  Union,  and  the  war  with  Mexico  had 
commenced.  Mr.  Lincoln  opposed  this  war,  believing  it  was 
n 


162  FIFTY  YEAR'S  RECOLLECTIONS. 


waged  in  the  interest  and  for  the  spread  of  slavery.  The 
tariff  that  he  had  so  eloquently  defended  in  1844  had  been 
repealed  by  the  democrats  when  Polk  came  into  power,  and 
one  that  did  not  give  protection  to  the  free  industries  was 
enacted  in  its  place ;  that  favored  the  cotton  and  sugar 
planters  of  the  south,  the  products  of  slave  labor,  to  the 
subversion  of  the  industrial  interests  and  protective  policy. 
The  issues  between  the  two  parties  then  in  the  political 
field  were  positive  and  well  defined.  There  was  a  large 
audience  out  to  hear  him,  almost  the  entire  voting  popula- 
tion of  the  two  precincts,  and  Mr.  Lincoln  was  particularly 
happy  and  felicitous  in  his  arguments  on  the  points  at  issue, 
taking  nearly  two  hours,  discussing  every  question  to  the 
eminent  satisfaction  of  his  audience. 

It  is  no  part  of  these  brief  "  Recollections "  to  give 
extracts  of  speeches  or  a  synopsis  of  the  arguments  used, 
or  a  biography  of  the  life  of  individuals,  but  to  confine 
these  sketches  to  a  relation  of  facts  and  incidents  coming 
under  our  own  observation  when  we  met  the  persons  that 
they  most  intimately  relate  to.  Mr.  Lincoln  went  to  con- 
gress, served  his  -constituents  well,  returned  and  resumed 
his  law  practice.  In  the  stirring  political  scenes  of  1854 
and  Fremont  campaign  of  1856  he  took  an  active  part. 
But  we  hasten  to  the  more  important  years  of  our  history. 

The  republican  state  convention  met  at  Springfield 
June  16,  1858.  We,  with  a  number  of  others,  attended  as 
delegates  from  Marshall  county.  Political  excitement  ran 
high.  The  state,  from  east  to  west,  from  north  to  south, 
was  thoroughly  aroused,  and  the  issues  of  the  day  had  been 
so  thoroughly  discussed  that  counties  away  down  in  Egypt 
that  never  before  had  sent  delegates  to  a  republican  or  whig 
convention,  now  appeared  with  a  full  representation  of  live 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  163 

wide-awake  republicans,  and  every  county  in  the  state  was 
represented.  Men  had  actually  made  great  sacrifices  of 
time  and  money  to  reach  the  state  capital  from  the  remote 
southeastern  counties  of  the  state  lying  between  the  Illi- 
nois Central  Railroad  the  Wabash  and  the  Ohio  rivers. 
There  were  over  six  hundred  delegates ;  these,  with  their 
alternates  and  the  spectators,  over  one  thousand  earnest  men, 
made  a  peaceful  invasion  of  Springfield,  intent  only  on 
their  country's  good  by  effecting  a  change  of  men  and 
measures. 

Two  months  before  the  democratic  convention  had  met 
and  endorsed  Douglas  and  his  Kansas-Nebraska  policy. 
The  senatorial  succession  to  Mr.  Douglas  absorbed  every 
other  question,  and  no  one  was  thought  of  or  spoken  of 
but  Mr.  Lincoln.  Cook,  with  its  large  delegation,  bore 
aloft  a  banner  inscribed  "  Cook  county,  for  Abraham 
Lincoln/'  that  was  hailed  and  cheered  on  every  hand,  and 
when  it  was  borne  in  the  members  of  the  convention  rose 
to  their  feet  and  gave  three  cheers  for  their  candidate.  As 
soon  as  quiet  was  restored  the  following  resolution  was 
read,  its  adoption  moved  and  seconded,  and  unanimously 
adopted  by  a  rising  vote  and  prolonged  cheers  :  "  RESOLVED, 
That  Hon.  Abraham  Lincoln  is  our  first  and  only  choice 
for  United  States  senator,  to  fill  the  vacancy  about  to  be 
created  by  the  expiration  of  Mr.  Douglas7  term  of  office." 
The  anxiety  of  the  delegates  to  see  and  hear  their  chosen 
leader  and  champion  was  intense.  After  the  business  of 
the  convention  was  concluded  it  was  announced  that  he 
would  address  the  members  and  citizens  at  the  state  house 
in  the  evening. 

The  speech  was  prepared  with  unusual  care,  every  para- 
graph and  sentence  carefully  weighed.  The  firm  bed-rock 


164  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

foundation  of  his  principles,  the  issues  of  the  campaign  on 
which  he  proposed  to  stand  and  fight  his  battles,  were  well 
considered  and  his  arguments  incontrovertible.  That  was 
a  memorable  speech,  in  which  were  culminated  all  the 
grand  thoughts  and  ideas  he  had  ever  uttered,  embody- 
ing divinity,  statesmanship,  law  and  morals,  and  even 
fraught  with  prophecy.  On  his  way  to  the  hall  he  said  to 
a  friend,  "  It  is  truth,  and  the  nation  is  entitled  to  it." 

The  hall  of  the  house  of  representatives  was  crowded 
to  its  utmost  capacity  when  Mr.  Lincoln  arrived,  and  he 
was  received  with  a  prolonged  shout,  waving  of  handker- 
chiefs and  swinging  of  hats.  He  bowed  his  acknowledge- 
ments from  the  speaker's  desk,  and  was  introduced  by  the 
president  of  the  convention,  Hon.  Gustavus  A.  Koerner,. 
and  rising  to  his  full  height  he  surveyed  the  vast  audience, 
and  commenced  slowly  and  deliberately  at  first,  his  voice 
increasing  in  force  and  power  .as  he  advanced. 

We  wish  we  had  space  right  here  to  give  that  speech. 
Every  gesture  had  meaning,  backed  by  the  appropriate 
words  to  enforce  it.  The  logic  was  irresistible,  the  analysis 
so  keen,  so  condensed,  yet  so  profoundly  impressive  con- 
cerning the  politics  of  the  day,  so  plainly  and  intelligently 
expressed  in  every  part,  that  no  proper  idea  can  be  given 
of  it  through  any  description  of  ours.  We  would  advise 
the  readers  of  these  "  Recollections  "  to  procure  it,  read  it, 
and  they  that  have  read  it  read  it  again.  "  A  house 
divided  against  itself  cannot  stand/7  was  uttered  with  all 
the  impressiveness  of  gospel  truth. 

As  he  advanced  in  his  argument  he  towered  to  his  full 
height,  forgetting  himself  entirely  as  he  grew  warm  at  his 
work.  His  audience  applauded,  and  such  was  the  enthusi- 
asm that  at  times  the  speaker  could  hardly  proceed,  the 
people  wore  so  wonderfully  wrought  up  in  their  feelings. 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  165 

Men  and  women  who  heard  that  speech  will  remember 
the  wonderful  transformation  wrought  in  Mr.  Lincoln's 
appearance.  The  plain,  homely  man  towered  up  majesti- 
cally, his  face  warmed  as  with  angelic  fire,  the  long,  bent, 
angular  figure,  like  the  strong  oak  of  the  forest,  stood  erect, 
and  his  eyes  flashed  with  inspiration. 

Coming  to  the  conclusion  of  this  grand  speech,  in  the 
closing  paragraph  he  concentrated  advice,  admonition,  a 
retrospect  of  the  past,  a  forecaste  of  the  future,  a  prophecy 
of  what  has  since  been  fulfilled.  We  cannot  do  it  justice 
by  any  description,  and  the  reader  of  these  "  Recollections  " 
will  thank  us  for  giving  it  place  right  here : 

"  Our  cause,  then,  must  be  intrusted  to,  and  conducted 
by,  its  own  undoubted  friends  —  those  whose  hands  are  free, 
whose  hearts  are  in  the  work  —  who  DO  CARE  for  the  result. 
Two  years  ago  the  republicans  of  the  nation  (referring  to 
the  Fremont  campaign  of  1856)  mustered  over  thirteen 
hundred  thousand  strong.  We  did  this  under  the  single 
impulse  of  resistance  to  a  common  danger,  with  every 
external  circumstance  against  us.  Of  strange,  discordant 
and  even  hostile  elements,  we  gathered  from  the  four  winds, 
and  formed  and  fought  the  battle  through,  under  the  con- 
stant hot  fire  of  a  disciplined,  proud  and  pampered  enemy. 
Did  we  brave  all  then  to  falter  now  —  now,  when  that  same 
enemy  is  wavering,  dissevered  and  beligerent?  THE 

RESULT  IS  NOT  DOUBTFUL.       WE  SHALL    NOT  FAIL if  WC 

stand  firm.     WE  SHALL  NOT  FAIL.     Wise  counsels  may 
accelerate,    or  mistakes  delay  it,  but  sooner  or  later,  the 

VICTORY  IS  SURE  TO  COME." 

The  last  sentence  was  uttered  with  all  the  positive  im- 
pressiveness  of  an  inspired  oracle.  There  was  not  in  the 
entire  speech  a  single  appeal  to  partisan  prejudice,  nothing 
to  merely  catch  the  applause  of  his  hearers,  but  he  appeared 
before  them  as  an  honest,  patriotic  man,  discussing  the 


166  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

gravest  questions  of  the  day,  and  enforcing  them  by  facts 
drawn  from  the  past,  with  a  grand  future  in  prospect. 

The  members  of  the  convention,  and  the  vast  concourse 
of  other  citizens,  carried  with  them  to  their  homes  some- 
thing to  think  about  —  some  inspiration  to  work  for  the 
cause.  Every  man  was  a  worker,  many  were  orators,  and 
soon  the  land  resounded  with  eloquent  appeals  to  the  people 
to  rouse  and  set  right  the  political  wrongs  that  the 
Buchanan  administration  were  fastening  on  the  country. 

Invitations  to  speak  came  from  every  part  of  the  state, 
and  Mr.  Lincoln  set  about  arranging  his  appointments  for 
the  campaign.  Mr.  Douglas  was  to  speak  at  Chicago,  July 
9th,  and  Mr.  Lincoln  was  urged  to  be  present  and -reply  to 
him,  and  when  the  time  arrived,  he  sat  near  Mr.  Douglas 
on  the  platform,  and  took  notes  of  the  speech  and  of  the 
line  of  argument  advanced.  He  patiently  listened  while 
the  gur-r-eat  pur-r-rinciple  of  "  popular  sovereignty  "  was 
eloquently  expounded.  In  arguing  his  side  of  the  question, 
Mr.  Douglas  misrepresented  the  republicans  and  their  plat- 
form, and  particularly  the  high  ground  taken  and  main- 
tained by  Mr.  Lincoln  in  his  Springfield  speech. 

On  the  conclusion  of  this  three-hour  speech  it  was  an- 
nounced that  Mr.  Lincoln  would  reply  to  it  on  the  follow- 
ing evening. 

He  spoke  from  the  same  platform  that  Mr.  Douglas  did 
the  evening  before,  The  distinguished  speaker  was  given 
a  grand  ovation.  He  was  introduced  to  the  audience  by 
Chas.  L.  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  the  Chicago  Daily  Journal.  Mr. 
Lincoln  came  forward  amid  a  storm  of  long  continued 
applause.  It  was  some  time  before  silence  could  be  restored, 
the  people  were  so  enthusiastic.  He  was  feeling  well,  in 
the  best  mood  for  illustrating  his  argument  by  a  good  story 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  167 

to  offset  Douglas'  positions,  and  getting  all  his  points  before 
his  hearers,  he  treated  them  fully  and  fairly.  Douglas  had 
accused  him  of  trying  to  array  the  north  against  the  south, 
in  the  declaration  made  at  Springfield,  "  I  believe  this  gov- 
ernment cannot  endure,  permanently,  half  slave  and  half 
free."  Mr.  Douglas  had  made  what  he  thought  was  his 
strongest  point,  by  insisting  that  our  government  had  en- 
dured eighty-two  years  "  half  slave  and  half  free/7  and  that 
the  chances  were  equally  favorable  for  its  perpetuity  in  the 
future.  Mr.  Lincoln  in  reply  said : 

"  I  am  not  unaware  that  this  government  has  endured 
eighty-two  years,  half  slave  and  half  free.  I  know  that  I 
am  tolerably  well  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the 
country,  and  I  know  that  it  has  endured  eighty-two  years, 
half  slave  and  half  free,  I  BELIEVE  —  and  that  is  what  I 
meant  to  allude  to  there  —  I  believe  it  has  endured,  because, 
during  all  that  time,  until  the  introduction  of  the  Nebraska 
bill,  the  public  mind  did  rest  in  the  belief  that  slavery  was 
in  the  course  of  ultimate  extinction.  That  was  what  gave 
us  the  rest  we  had  through  that  period  of  eighty-two  years ; 
at  least,  so  I  believe.  I  have  always  hated  slavery,  I 
think,  as  much  as  any  abolitionist  —  I  am  an  old  line  whig 

—  I  have  always  hated  it,  but  I  have  always  been  quiet 
about  it  until  this  new  era  of  the  introduction  of  the  Ne- 
braska bill  began.     I  always  believed  that  everybody  was 
against  it,  and  that  it  was  in  the  course  of  ultimate  extinc- 
tion.    History  led  the  people  to  believe  so ;  and  such  was 
the  belief  of  the  framers  of  the  constitution  itself,  else  why 
did  these  old  men,  about  the  time  of  the  adoption   of  the 
constitution,   decree    that  slavery  should  not  go  into  new 
territory,  where  it  had  not  already  gone?     Why   declare 
that  within  twenty  years  the  African  slave  trade,  by  which 
slaves  are  supplied,  might  be  cut  off  by  congress?     WHY 
WERE  ALL  THESE  ACTS?     I  might  enumerate  more  of  them 

—  but  enough.     What   were  they  but   a    clear  indication 
that  the  framers  of  the  constitution  intended  and  expected 


168  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  ultimate  extinction  of  the  institution.  I  said  in  the 
speech  that  Judge  Douglas  has  quoted  from,  that  I  think 
the  opponents  of  slavery  will  resist  the  further  spread  of  it, 
and  place  it  where  our  fathers  originally  placed  it.  I  have 
said  a  hundred  times,  and  I  have  now  no  inclination  to  take 
it  back,  that  I  believe  there  is  no  right,  and  ought  to  be  no 
inclination  in  the  people  of  the  free  states,  to  enter  into  the 
slave  states  and  interfere  with  the  question  of  slavery  at  all. 
I  have  said  that  always;  Judge  Douglas  has  heard  me  say 
it,  and  when  it  is  said  that  I  am  in  favor  of  interfering 
with  slavery  where  it  exists,  I  know  it  is  unwarranted  by 
anything  I  ever  have  intended,  and,  I  believe  by  anything 
I  have  ever  said." 

We  have  given  several  paragraphs  of  this  great  speech 
to  show  the  range  of  thought  and  argument  of  these  two 
chieftains  who  led  the  opposing  political  hosts  in  the  con- 
test of  1858.  Many  young  men  and  women,  who  have 
grown  up  since  that  eventful  contest,  will  read  these  "  Rec- 
ollections," and  these  brief  expositions  will  enlighten  them 
in  regard  to  the  political  issues  before  the  war,  and  the 
reasons  given  by  the  south  for  secession. 

Mr.  Lincoln  comprehended  the  questions  in  their  full 
compass  —  their  far-reaching  consequences,  and  closed  his 
address  by  reiterating  the  charge  made  in  his  Springfield 
speech,  that  Mr.  Douglas  was  a  party  to  the  conspiracy  for 
deceiving  the  people  with  the  idea  that  the  settlers  could 
exclude  slavery  from  their  limits.  Mr.  Douglas  had  passed 
the  charge  in  silence,  and  Mr.  Lincoln  said,  "  On  his  own 
tacit  admission  I  renew  the  charge." 

Mr.  Douglas  went  from  Chicago  to  Bloomington,  mak- 
ing much  as  usual  of  his  great  doctrine  of  "  popular  sover- 
eignty." Mr.  Lincoln  was  on  hand,  in  "  pursuit  of  knowl- 
edge under  difficulties,"  determined  to  find  out  the  exact 
position  taken  by  his  competitor,  so  that  he  might  hear  the 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  169 

arguments   and  meet  them  in  the  canvass  he  had  deter- 
mined upon. 

Mr.  Lincoln  wanted  closer  work  than  Mr.  Douglas  had 
given  him,  and  July  24,  1858,  addressed  to  him  the  follow- 
ing brief  letter : 

"HoN.  S.  A.  DOUGLAS— My  Dear  Sir:  Will  it  be 
agreeable  to  you  to  make  an  arrangement  for  you  and  my- 
self to  divide  the  time  and  address  the  same  audiences  the 
present  canvass?  Mr.  Judd,  who  will  hand  you  this,  is 
authorized  to  receive  your  answer ;  and,  if  agreeable  to  you, 
to  enter  into  terms  of  such  arrangement. 

Your  obedient  servant,  A.  LINCOLN." 

Mr.  Douglas  replied,  declining  the  arrangement  Mr. 
Lincoln  proposed,  but  intimated  his  readiness  to  meet  his 
challenger  at  Ottawa,  LaSalle  county,  August  21st,  1858; 
at  Freeport,  Stephenson  county,  August  27th ;  Jouesboro, 
Union  county,  September  15th ;  Charleston,  Coles  county, 
September  18th;  Galesburg,  Kuox  county,  October  7th; 
Quincy,  Adams  county,  October  13th,  and  Alton,  Madison 
county,  October  15th,  thus  proposing  seven  joint  discus- 
sions at  leading  points  in  the  state,  which  were  accepted  by 
Mr.  Lincoln.  The  terms  proposed  in  this  letter  and 
accepted  by  Mr.  Lincoln,  were  that  at  Ottawa  Mr.  Douglas 
should  speak  an  hour,  then  Mr.  Lincoln  should  speak  an 
hour  and  a-half,  leaving  Mr.  Douglas  the  closing  speech  of 
half  an  hour.  At  Freeport  Mr.  Lincoln  should  have  the 
opening  and  closing,  and  Mr.  Douglas  speak  one  hour  and 
a-half,  and  so  on  alternately  till  the  conclusion  of  the 
arrangement. 

From  the  time  this  arrangement  for  joint  meetings  was 
made  to  the  first  meeting  at  Ottawa  was  near  three  weeks. 
During  this  time  the  two  great  men,  —  Illinois'  gifted 
intellectual  gladiators,  kept  themselves  in  training  by  play- 


170  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

• 

ing  practice  games  in  the  cities  in  different   parts  of  the 
state,  —  they  engaged  zealously  in  independent  work. 

Mr.  Lincoln  began  his  work  at  Beardstown,  the  place 
celebrated  twenty-five  years  before  by  his  leading  his  com- 
pany to  the  seat  of  the  Black  Hawk  War,  on  Rock  River. 
From  here  he  went  to  Bath  and  Havana,  in  Mason  county, 
then  to  Lewistown  and  Canton  in  Fulton  county,  then  to 
Peoria  and  on  northeast  to  Henry,  Marshall  county,  making 
speeches  at  all  -these  places,  ^immense  audiences  being 
attracted  to  listen  to  his  utterances  upon  the  great  questions 
of  the  day.  Mr.  Douglas  was  equally  busy  and  active, 
whetting  up  his  popular  sovereignty  blade  and  waxed  mighty 
in  the  fight. 

At  Peoria  Mr.  Lincoln  met  with  the  citizens  of  the 
adjoining  county  of  Tazewell  in  large  numbers,  and  a  large 
delegation  from  Lacon  and  other  points  of  Marshall 
county.  The  author  was  at  that  time  the  senior  editor  of 
the  Illinois  Gazette  at  Lacon,  and  in  company  with  Dr. 
Boal,  Judge  Fort,  John  A.  McCall,  Charles  G.  Gapen, 
Judge  Boice  and  many  others,  met  Mr.  Lincoln  at  the 
Peoria  House  previous  to  the  hour  of  speaking.  The  dele- 
gation found  him  quite  anxious  as  to  the  prospect  of  carrying 
our  legislative  districts,  both  senatorial  and  representa- 
tive. 

There  had  been  a  very  few  defections  in  the  republican 
party,  the  most  notable  being  Hon.  John  T.  Lindsay, 
formerly  a  citizen  of  Marshall,  but  now  a  prominent  citizen 
of  Peoria.  He  had  been  a  life-long  whig,  came  into  the 
republican  party  when  it  organized,  and  had  been  one  of  its 
most  trusted  members.  His  sudden  somersault  into  the 
democratic  party  created  great  surprise.  But  his  loss  was 
made  good  by  many  coming  out  from  among  the  democrats 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  171 

and  joining  their  political  fortunes  with  the  republicans, 
and  we  could  give  Mr.  Lincoln  the  assurance  that  both 
our  senator  and  Marshall  and  Putnam's  representative 
would  be  elected. 

There  were  a  number  of  old-time  whigs  in  Tazewell 
county,  strong  personal  friends  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  but  from 
southern  birth  and  association  rather  prejudiced  against 
taking  the  advanced  ground  enunciated  in  Mr.  Lincoln's 
speeches.  The  most  prominent  among  these  was  John 
Durham,  Esq.,  now  a  citizen  of  Peoria.  Mr.  Lincoln  was 
anxious  that  these  old  friends  of  his  should  be  present  and 
hear  him,  and  made  inquiry  soon  after  his  arrival  whether 
Mr.  Durham  was  in  the  city.  He  spoke  in  the  afternoon  in 
the  court  house  to  an  audience  that  filled  every  seat,  and 
standing  room  was  at  a  premium.  Hon.  William  Kellogg, 
at  that  time  member  of  Congress,  and  the  republican  candi- 
date for  re-election,  and  Hon.  Robert  G.  Ingersoll,  his 
democratic  competitor,  were  present  as  listeners,  as  were  all 
the  leading  republicans  and  democrats  of  Peoria  and  vicin- 
ity. Mr.  Lincoln  felt  from  assurances  given  him  from 
this  part  of  the  political  field  that  all  was  going  well  for 
him.  He  was  in  a  capital  humor  for  telling  stories  to  illus- 
trate his  arguments,  and  told  one  on  a  former  moss-back, 
rock-rooted  democratic  member  from  Wabash  county,  who 
was  a  fellow-member  with  him  when  in  the  legislature.  He 
was  a  man  inflated  with  the  idea  of  his  own  importance,  his 
mind  was  a  store-house  of  "  g-r-e-a-t  p-r-inciples,"  and  he 
was  a  member  of  the  judiciary  committee,  a  "  strict  con- 
structionist"  of  the  old  antedeluvian  type,  and  held  himself 
up  to  his  fellow  members  as  the  "  constitutional  adviser  " 
of  the  house.  In  short  he  found  something  "  unconstitu- 
tional'7 in  every  measure  that  was  brought  forward  for 


172  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

discussion,  and  for  that  reason  would  move  its  reference  to 
his  committee,  so  that  its  unconstitutionally  could  be 
eliminated.  A  measure  was  brought  forward  in  which  Mr. 
Lincoln's  constituents  were  interested.  The  member  from 
Wabash  rose,  arranged  his  legal  and  constitutional  batteries 
and  discharged  them,  as  he  thought,  with  annihilating  effect 
upon  its  unconstitutional  points.  Mr.  Lincoln  told  the 
story  to  illustrate  the  little  quibbling  points  made  by  Mr. 
Douglas  in  arguing  the  "  Dred  Scott  decision"  in  regard  to 
the  rights  and  power  of  citizens  of  a  territory  voting  slavery 
"  up  or  down."  But  to  the  story  : 

Mr.  Lincoln,  assuming  that  quizzical  expression  of 
features  at  all  times  so  easy  for  him  to  simulate,  a  mirthful 
twinkle  in  his  gray  eyes,  said :  "  Mr.  Douglas  reminds  me 
of  the  point  I  made  on  the  member  from  Wabash.  An  old 
friend  of  mine,  a  peculiar  looking  old  fellow,  with  shaggy, 
overhanging  eyebrows  and  a  pair  of  spectacles  under  them 
(a  personal  description  of  the  member),  which  enabled  him 
to  scan  closely  the  most  minute  objects.  One  morning, 
just  after  the  old  man  got  up,  he  imagined,  on  looking  out 
of  his  door,  that  he  saw  a  squirrel  on  a  tree  near  his  house. 
So  he  took  down  his  rifle  and  fired  at  the  squirrel,  but  the 
squirrel  paid  no  attention  to  the  shot.  He  loaded  and  fired 
again  and  again,  until,  at  the  thirteenth  shot,  he  set  his  gun 
down  impatiently  and  said  to  his  boy,  who  was  looking  on, 
1  Boy,  there  is  something  wrong  about  that  rifle.'  <  Rifle's 
all  right,  I  know  'tis,'  responded  the  boy,  '  but  where's 
your  squirrel?'  ' Don't  you  see  him,  humped  up  about 
half  way  up  the  tree?'  inquired  the  old  man,  peering  over 
his  spectacles  and  looking  mystified.  '  No,  I  don't,' 
responded  the  boy;  and  then,  turning  and  looking  into  his 
father's  face,  he  exclaimed,  '  I  see  your  squirrel ;  you've 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  173 

been  firing  at  a  louse  on  your  eyebrow.'7  The  story 
needed  neither  application  nor  explanation.  The  audience 
roared  with  laughter  and  cheered  in  its  appreciation  of  its 
points  and  his  power  of  adapting  them  to  the  case  in  hand. 
This  set  at  rest  the  little  quibbles  that  Douglas  was  making 
against  his  arguments,  in  trying  to  raise  discordant  points. 
Then  proceeding  with  his  truths  and  combination  of  truths, 
he  proceeded  to  show  where  Douglas  had  "  left  a  niche  in 
the  Nebraska  bill  to  receive  the  Dred  Scott  decision/' 
which  declared  in  effect  that  a  territorial  legislature  could 
not  abolish  slavery.  We  have  no  further  space  to  quote  from 
the  Peoria  speech.  His  arguments  were  a  reiteration  of 
the  grand  truths  enunciated  in  his  Springfield  speech,  with 
perhaps  some  change  of  terms  and  language,  with  new 
illustrations  to  enforce  them.  Many  of  our  old  citizens 
will  still  remember  that  speech.  It  convinced  the  doubt- 
ing, confirmed  the  wavering,  and  converted  many  from  the 
democratic  faith  that  were  open  to  receive  the  truths  so 
plainly  told. 

The  next  day  Mr.  Lincoln  spoke  at  Henry,  and  the 
republicans  of  Marshall,  Putnam,  Stark  and  a  portion  of 
Bureau  were  out  in  force,  and  along  with  them  came  many 
democrats,  both  of  the  Douglas  and  Buchanan  school,  who 
were  willing  to  listen  to  republican  truths.  Judge  Boice, 
of  Henry,  presided,  and  Mr.  Lincoln,  on  being  introduced, 
wras  soon  in  the  rnidst  of  his  argument,  with  an  audience 
more  largely  in  accordance  with  his  principles  than  greeted 
him  at  many  other  points  which  he  visited,  as  Marshall, 
Putnam  and  Bureau  counties  were  largely  composed  of 
people  who  came  from  the  east  fully  imbued  with  anti- 
slavery  sentiments  and  from  the  first,  even  away  back  in 
old  whig  times,  were  restive  under  the  slavery  platform 


174  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

imposed  on  them  by  party  conventions.  Mr. 
presence  among  them  was  the  occasion  of  a  great  ovation 
to  him.  He  was  met  at  the  depot  by  thousands,  and  to  the 
strains  of  music  was  escorted  to  the  hotel. 

He  talked  for  the  enlightenment  of  the  democratic  por- 
tion of  his  audience  as  follows : 

"I  say  to  you,  gentlemen,  that  it  would  be  more  to  the 
purpose  for  Judge  Douglas  to  say  that  he  did  not  repeal 
the  Missouri  Compromise ;  that  he  did  not  make  slavery 
possible  where  it  was  impossible  before ;  that  he  did  not 
leave  a  niche  in  the  Nebraska  bill  for  the  Dred  Scott 
decision  to  rest  in;  that  he  did  not  vote  down -a  clause  giv- 
ing the  people  the  right  to  exclude  slavery  if  they  wanted 
to ;  that  he  did  not  refuse  to  give  his  individual  opinion 
whether  a  territorial  legislature  could  exclude  slavery ; 
that  he  did  not  make  a  report  to  the  senate  in  which  he 
said  that  the  rights  of  the  people  in  this  regard  were  held 
in  abeyance  and  could  not  be  immediately  exercised ;  that 
he  did  not  make  a  hasty  endorsement  of  the  Dred  Scott 
decision  over  at  Springfield ;  that  he  does  not  now  endorse 
that  decision ;  that  the  decision  does  not  take  away  from 
the  territorial  legislature  the  power  to  exclude  slavery,  and 
that  he  did  not,  in  the  original  Nebraska  bill,  so  couple  the 
words  ' state7  and  < territory'  together  that  what  the 
supreme  court  has  done  in  forcing  open  all  the  territories 
for  slavery,  it  might  yet  do  in  forcing  open  all  the  states ; 
—  I  say  it  would  be  vastly  more  to  the  point  for  Judge 
Douglas  to  say  he  did  not  do  some  of  these  things,  did  not 
forge  some  of  these  links  of  overwhelming  testimony,  than 
to  go  to  vociferating  about  the  country  that  possibly  he 
may  be  obliged  to  hint  that  somebody  is  a  liar." 

The  Henry  meeting  was  a  great  success.  The  people 
gave  a  hearty  reception  to  the  principles  of  the  platform, 
set  the  ball  rolling,  which  showed  in  the  result  at  the 
polls  in  November.  The  republican  senator,  Hon.  George 
C.  Bestor,  the  member  of  the  legislature,  Hon.  J.  A.  McCall, 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  175 

and  the  entire  republican  county  ticket  in  Marshall  county 
— every  candidate  was  elected,  which  the  republicans 
thought  was  glory  enough  to  repay  them  for  the  hard  fight 
they  had  made. 

Mr.  Lincoln  went  from  Henry  to  his  Ottawa  joint  dis- 
cussion. This  we  did  not  attend,  and  only  know  particu- 
lars in  regard  to  it  by  results  at  the  polls  in  November,  the 
republicans  carrying  their  ticket,  state,  congressional,  legis- 
lative and  county,  in  the  LaSalle  district. 

The  next  speech  delivered  when  the  author  was 
present  was  at  Alton,  Oct.  15,  1858,  the  last  speech  the 
two  made  together, —  closing  the  joint  addresses. 

Mr.  Douglas  opened  by  speaking  one  hour,  in  which  he 
displayed  considerable  irritability.  The  campaign  was 
wearing  on  him,  as  no  doubt  by  this  time  he  began  to  see 
that  the  political  scepter  he  had  so  long  held  over  the  peo- 
ple of  the  state  was  about  to  depart  from  him.  As  it  was 
the  last  joint  discussion  of  the  campaign,  he  took  occasion 
to  review  the  arguments  of  Mr.  Lincoln  at  each  place, 
Ottawa,  Freeport,  Jonesboro,  Charleston,  Galesburg  and 
Quincy,  in  the  order  they  occurred,  trying  to  show  that  Mr. 
Lincoln's  arguments  were  not  the  same  at  Freeport  as  they 
were  at  Jonesboro,  in  the  south  part  of  the  state.  His 
whole  hour  was  taken  up  in  this  recapitulation. 

Mr.  Lincoln  sat  taking  in  the  speech  with  seeming  im- 
mobility, and  when  Mr.  Douglas  concluded,  he  rose,  his 
time  being  one  hour  and  a  half.  He,  as  in  the  opening  of 
all  of  his  speeches,  spoke  slow  but  distinct,  did  not  rise  to 
his  full  height,  leaning  forward  in  a  stooping  posture  at 
first,  his  person  displaying  all  the  angularities  of  limb  and 
face ;  for  the  first  five  or  ten  minutes  he  was  both  awkward 
and  diffident,  as  in  almost  monotonous  tones  he  commenced 


176  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

to  untangle  the  meshes  of  Douglas'  sophistry.  Proceeding, 
he  gained  confidence  gradually,  his  voice  rang  out  in  clear- 
ness, rose  in  strength,  his  tall  form  towered  to  its  full 
height,  his  face  assumed  almost  angelic  brightness,  and  such 
an  outburst  of  inspiring  eloquence  and  argument  without 
a  break  in  its  force  or  power  for  the  whole  time  allotted 
him  to  speak.  He  could  be  heard  to  the  outskirts  of  the 
vast  throng.  As  he  proceeded  the  people  became  enthusi- 
astic, but  his  voice  could  be  heard  above  their  cheers. 
Frequently  throughout  the  speech  he  would  turn  towards 
Douglas  and  very  emphatically  say,  "You  know  these  things 
to  be  so,  Mr.  Douglas/7  if  they  were  affirmative  proposi- 
tions, or,  "  You  know  these  things  are  not  so,  Mr.  Douglas/7 
if  they  were  negative  propositions.  At  one  time  in  his  ad- 
dress he  bent  his  tall  furm  over  Douglas,  pouring  in  his  elo- 
quent remonstrance  so  sharply  that  Douglas  rose  to  explain, 
but  Lincoln  would  none  of  it.  He  said,  "  sit  down  Mr. 
Douglas ;  I  did  not  interrupt  you  and  will  not  be  inter- 
rupted. You  can  reply  to  me,  if  you  can,  in  your  closing 
speech/7  and  his  solid,  argumentative  and  logical  statement 
of  facts  rang  out,  his  audience  becoming  more  enthusiastic 
as  he  proceeded.  He  warned  the  people  against  being 
diverted  from  the  great  question  at  issue  by  sophistical  con- 
trivances, as  were  trying  to  be  impressed  on  them  by  the 
"  gur-reat  pur-rinciple 77  fantastically  called  "  popular  sov- 
ereignty.77 

We  remember  his  line  or  argument  throughout  that 
great  ninety-minute  speech,  the  closing  one  he  made  in  the 
seven  joint  discussions.  Could  give  an  outline  of  it,  but  it 
is  not  necessary  as  the  speeches  of  both  these  great  states- 
men have  been  published  and  are  accessible  to  the  student 
of  history  in  the  libraries  of  the  state. 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  177 


Time  passed  on,  the  election  of  November^,  1858, 
came,  chronicled  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  its  results  had 
a  wider  influence  in  shaping  the  country's  history  than, 
probably  any  election  since  the  formation  of  the  govern- 
ment. 

We  could  give  our  recollection  of  a  great  many  connect- 
ing political  events  to  bridge  over  the  time,  bringing  the 
opening  events  of  1860.  Mr.  Lincoln,  after  the  close  of 
the  canvass  in  early  November,  retired  to  his  home  at 
Springfield,  his  mind  absorbed  in  the  future  of  the  great 
questions  that  the  people  of  Illinois  had  for  themselves  as 
a  state  decided  at  the  election,  but  which  were  to  be  con- 
sidered and  voted  on  in  the  other  states  in  1859. 

He  gave  the  questions  more  close  attention  than  ever, 
as  he  was  receiving  hundreds  of  letters  from  eastern,  mid- 
dle, western,  northern  and  some  from  southern  states,  in 
regard  to  the  political  contests  in  their  states  for  1859-60. 
He  knew  he  would  be  called  on  to  aid  by  his  argumentative 
powers  in  the  canvass  of  several  of  these  states,  and  he  set 
about  to  prepare  himself. 

The  state  legislature  met  in  January,  and  the  formality 
of  electing  a  United  States  senator  was  enacted  in  a  joint 
legislative  meeting.  The  press  of  the  country  was  dis- 
cussing, prospectively,  the  probabilities  of  the  presidential 
question  for  1860.  As  a  "  star  in  the  east,"  one  of  the  re- 
publican papers  at  Augusta,  Maine,  wrote  an  article  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1859,  suggesting  Mr.  Lincoln's  name  in  connection 
with  the  nomination  for  the  presidency  in  1860.  Soon  after 
this,  a  paper  published  in  Washington  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, threw  out  some  "  advance  thoughts  "  on  the  subject, 
and  at  different  times  during  the  spring  and  summer  of 
1859,  "  lines  of  thought"  were  written  in  other  papers  east 

12 


178  FIFTY   YEAES'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

and  west,  showing  that  popular  sentiment  was  "  doing  its 
perfect  work  "  in  preparing  the  way  for  Mr.  Lincoln's  nom- 
ination. 

Of  individual  effort  through  personal  influence,  and 
combinations  of  individuals  in  consultation  caucuses,  we 
have  not  much  record  for  the  next  few  months  after  the 
election  of  1858.  Hon.  R.  W.  Miles,  of  Knox  county, 
gives  an  account  of  a  meeting  held  in  the  library  room  of 
the  capitol  at  Springfield,  in  January,  1859,  when  Mr. 
Lincoln's  name  was  discussed  as  one  of  the  probable  states- 
men whose  names  would  be  presented.  A  gentleman  pres- 
ent, making  a  short  speech,  said  :  "  We  are  going  to  bring 
out  Abraham  Lincoln  as  a  candidate  for  president."  Mr. 
Lincoln  protested  against  it.  This  shows  that  he  did  not 
seek  but  rather  held  in  check  those  of  his  friends  jvho  so 
early  sought  to  present  his  name.  We  also  believe  that  our 
friend  Beatty,  of  the  Republican- Register,  Galesburg,  pre- 
sented the  name  of  Mr.  Lincoln  at  a  very  early  date  after 
the  election  in  1858. 

Sometime  in  the  autumn  of  1859  the  Chicago  Tribune 
began  to  discuss  presidential  "  possibilities  and  probabili- 
ties," and  very  frequently  after  that  mentioned  Mr.  Lincoln's 
name  as  the  most  fitting  and  also  the  most  available  candi- 
date to  present  for  the  campaign  of  1860. 

We  remember  in  discussing  this  question,  shortly  after 
the  election,  with  several  leading  republicans  of  Marshall 
county  and  personally  strong  friends  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  in 
arguing  the  reasons  given  in  the  GAZETTE  for  Mr.  Lincoln's 
candidacy,  they  thought  his  time  "  was  not  yet,"  that  the 
most  that  could  be  expected  for  him  in  1860  was  to  elect 
him  governor  of  the  state,  and  through  that  he  would 
eventually  reach  the  United  States  senate,  making  his 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  179 

record  for  the  presidency,  if  ever,  some  ten  to  fourteen 
years  ahead — either  for  1868  or  1872. 

In  January,  1860,  the  author  bought  out  the  office  outfit, 
type,  good  will  and  subscription  of  the  FARMER'S  ADVO- 
CATE at  Chicago,  and  from  that  time  was  engaged  in  the 
interests  of  agriculture  and  all  the  productive  industries  of 
the  country.  In  our  rural  ramblings  we  paid  attention 
to  the  "  speech  of  the  people,"  who  began  thus  early  to 
express  their  preferences  on  the  presidential  question,  and 
in  Illinois  there  was  only  two  men  the  people  felt  much 
interest  in.  These  were  Stephen  A.  Douglas  and  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  the  indications  were  that  on  the  National  field 
they  would  create  as  much  enthusiasm  as  they  did  two 
years  before  over  the  prairies  of  Illinois,  and  from  the 
indications,  all  the  "political  pointers"  gave  positive  assur- 
ance that  these  two  men  would  be  placed  in  front  of  the 
two  great  political  columns  to  lead  on  their  hosts  in  the 
contest. 

The  newspapers  of  the  land  were  pretty  generally  warm- 
ing up.  The  great  speeches  of  Lincoln  at  Leavenworth, 
Cincinnati,  Columbus,  Cooper  Institute,  New  York,  Hart- 
ford, Meriden  and  New  Haven,  Conn.,  Woonsocket,  K.  I., 
and  several  other  places  in  the  east  were  copied  into  the 
leading  papers  in  the  east,  arid  now  his  name  was  the  prop- 
erty of  the  Nation,  and  gaining  force,  momentum  and 
power.  So  when  he  returned  to  his  home  in  the  west  no 
man  in  the  United  States  seemed  to  fill  the  public  mind 
as  much  as  he. 

He  was  not  unmindful  of  these  particular  demonstra- 
tions. Certain  it  is,  they  made  a  deep  impression  on  his 
mind.  Spring  came  on  apace.  April  had  come  and  gone. 
The  democratic  national  convention  had  been  held  at 


1 80  FIFTY  TEAKS'  KECOLLECTIONS. 

Charleston.  It  had  split  on  Douglas.  Its  sessions  had 
been  "  unfriendly  "  to  him,  and  his  adherents  had  adjourned 
to  meet  at  Baltimore.  The  southern  division  adjourned  to 
meet  at  Richmond. 

The  republican  convention  was  announced  to  meet  at 
Chicago  June  16th,  and  the  great  "  Wigwam,"  half  a  square 
long  and  a  third  of  a  square  wide,  was  erected  to  accommo- 
date the  delegates  with  seats  on  the  main  floor,  and  so  far 
as  possible  the  crowd  in  the  galleries.  The  time  came  apace. 
The  people  and  their  representatives  were  there,  from  Cali- 
fornia's "Golden  Gate"  to  Maine  —  all  the  loyal  states  and 
fragmentary  delegations  from  Virginia,  Tennessee,  and  two 
or  three  other  southern  states.  The  "  hosts  of  freedom  " 
made  a  descent  on  Chicago,  and  right  heartily  were  they 
received.  Their  mission  was  a  friendly  one,  "  the  healing 
of  the  nation "  the  end  in  view.  It  was  estimated  that 
there  was  twenty-five  thousand  strangers  in  the  city.  The 
"Suckers,"  the  "Hoosiers,"  the  "Hawkeyes"  and  the 
"  Badgers,"  were  there  in  force,  and  "  they  came  to  stay  " 
for  Lincoln. 

Joshua  R.  Giddings  was  there  testing  the  kind  of  tim- 
ber that  the  platform  was  to  be  built  from.  The  committee 
on  Platform  came  very  near  rejecting  the  words  the  old 
Apostle  of  Freedom  proposed  to  insert  in  the  "  Articles  of 
Faith  "  of  the  party,  and  the  old  veteran  was  thinking  the 
convention  would  not  insert  and  adopt  principles  that  were 
dear  to  him,  that  he  had  contended  for  in  Congress  for 
years ;  but  good  counsels  prevailed  and  his  u  plank  "  went 
in,  and  "  Uncle  Joshua  "  remained  a  delegate  of  the  con- 
vention. When  the  platform  was  adopted  it  was  hailed 
with  demonstrations  of  wildest  enthusiasm.  Then  came 
the  nominations,  and  after  that  the  ballotings.  The  bal- 


ABRAHAM   LINCOLN.  181 


loting  went  on,  and  on  the  third  ballot  Abraham  Lincoln 
being  nominated,  a  storm  of  wild  uncontrollable  enthu- 
sium  descended.  It  was  prolonged,  repeated,  everybody 
was  on  their  feet,  throwing  hats  and  cheering.  Immedi- 
ately a  life  size  portrait  of  Lincoln  was  held  up  to  the  sight 
of  the  audience,  and  the  roar  of  artillery  was  heard  outside, 
and  each  discharge  was  echoed  back  by  those  on  the  inside. 
It  fell  to  Mr.  Evarts,  of  New  York,  to  do  the  graceful  act 
of  moving  that  the  nomination  of  Abraham  Lincoln  be 
made  unanimous.  While  doing  this  he  shed  tears,  and 
when  he  closed,  Gov.  Andrew,  of  Massachusetts,  and  Carl 
Schurz,  of  Wisconsin,  seconded  the  motion,  and  then  fol- 
lowed another  outburst  of  enthusiasm. 

There  was  among  the  Illiuoisans,  both  from  the  city 
and  country,  but  one  continuous  outburst  of  enthusiasm  and 
congratulation.  Mr.  Lincoln  was  their  favorite  —  the 
people's  idol.  It  was  not  thought  strange  if  a  man  said  and 
did  some  foolish  things  —  the  day  was  given  up  to  congrat- 
ulations. Shouting  and  singing,  and  one  hundred  guns 
were  fired  from  the  top  of  the  Tremont  House.  Ribboned 
and  festooned  rails  were  carried  round.  If  such  an  expres- 
sion is  admissible,  we  could  say  truthfully  that  the  people 
were  frenzied  with  delight.  The  click  of  the  telegraph  car- 
ried the  news  north,  south,  east,  west,  and  the  outgoing 
trains  found  bonfires  surrounded  by  excited  crowds  at  every 
village,  to  welcome  and  say  u  well  done"  to  the  returning 
delegates.  That  day,  the  days,  weeks  and  months  follow- 
ing, are,  and  long  will  be  remembered.  The  author  was 
on  the  outgoing  train  on  the  Chicago  &  Rock  Island  rail- 
road the  next  morning,  and  sat  with  Governor  Kirk- 
wood,  of  Iowa,  who  was  a  returning  delegate  from  the 
convention.  On  the  same  train  was  Thurlow  Weed,  of 


182  FIFTY  .YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

New  York,  with  other  delegates,  who,  while  as  far  west 
as  Chicago,  concluded  to  go  and  see  further  into  the  width 
and  breadth  of  our  broad  prairie  states  of  Illinois  and  Iowa. 
Mr.  Weed  said  he  wanted  to  see  the  country  u  where 
candidates  for  president  grew,  expanded  and  developed 
without  the  polishing  aid  of  eastern  refinement,  and  the  aid 
of  the  educating  influence  of  her  colleges."  He  was 
referred  to  the  derivation  of  the  name  of  the  state,  "  Illini," 
—  the  country  of  men  —  and  accepted  the  authority  as  con- 
clusive. The  trip  was  pleasant,  the  prairie  breeze  gentle  as 
a  zephyr  that  20th  day  of  June,  1860,  the  green  prairie  and 
broad  cultivated  fields  spread  out  for  miles  on  either  side 
of  the  railroad.  It  was  a  grand  day  for  the  distinguished 
strangers  to  look  out  upon  the  wide  expanse  from  Chicago 
to  Rock  Island.  The  trip  had  its  pleasant  episodes.  At 
every  station  were  large  crowds  assembled  and  the  inquiry 
would  be  made  "  who's  aboard  ?"  When  told  "  Sam  Kirk- 
wood/'  or  "Thurlow  Weed/7  they  would  call  them  out  if 
but  for  a  word,  or  to  see  them,  and  the  train  would  go  on 
its  way  leaving  a  cheering  crowd. 

Abraham  Lincoln  was  thus  placed  before  the  people  — 
the  nation, —  for  the  highest  official  trust  in  their  gift  to 
bestow.  He  was  in  his  fifty-second  year, —  at  his  prime  in 
manhood,  clear  in  intellect,  his  great  powers  cultivated  in 
the  school  of  a  rough  experience,  his  acquisitions  of  knowl- 
edge gathered  from  the  scantiest  sources,  their  develop- 
ment at  times  almost  a  revelation  to  himself;  raising  himself 
by  the  excellence  of  his  manly  qualities  of  head  and  heart, 
forcing  recognition  when  really  not  seeking  it.  In  starting 
in  life,  from  earliest  childhood  to  full  manhood,  his  years 
had  been  spent  in  the  wilderness,  subjected  to  hardest  toil 
and  darkest  obscurity,  and  living  almost  in  penury. 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  183 

From  this  lowly  estate  he  had  raised  himself  without 
powerful  influence  or  wealthy  patrons,  despising  the  tricks 
of  the  demagogue,  without  the  aid  of  social  or  high  official 
position,  into  national  recognition  and  to  the  affectionate 
regard  of  the  nation,  and  of  good  people  throughout  the 
civilized  world. 

During  the  following  August  the  author  was  at  Spring- 
field and  called  at  Mr.  Lincoln's  room  at  the  state  houser 
and  found  him  quite  alone  for  once,  two  of  his  children 
only  being  in,  "Tad"  being  one  of  them.  It  was  in  the 
"  heated  term/7  and  Mr.  Lincoln,  always  accommodating 
himself  to  circumstances,  was  dressed  to  suit  the  weather, 
with  shirt,  linen  pants,  without  vest,  with  a  long-tailed 
linen  coat  overshadowing  the  whole.  He  was  not  "  putting 
on  style/'  no  attendant  was  at  the  door  to  carry  in  our 
card.  The  door  was  open  and  we  walked  right  in.  \?as  at 
once  recognized  and  seated,  the  boys  still  continuing  their 
play  round  the  floor.  "  Tad"  was  spinning  a  top,  and  Mr. 
Lincoln,  as  we  came  in,  had  just  finished  adjusting  the 
string  for  him  so  it  would  give  the  top  greater  force  when 
it  was  whirled  off  on  the  floor.  He  said  he  was  having  a 
little  season  of  relaxation  with  the  boys,  which  he  could 
not  always  enjoy  now,  as  so  many  callers  and  so  much 
correspondence  occupied  his  time.  Then  the  political 
situation  was  referred  to,  the  prospects,  and  we  found  him 
much  encouraged, —  pleased  with  the  situation.  The 
Douglas— Breckenridge  division  of  the  democracy  was  dis- 
cussed, with  its  bearings  on  the  canvass.  Altogether  we 
found  the  great  man  well  pleased  with  the  outlook,  content 
to.  wait  the  November  outcome.  As  ours  was  a  social  call 
only  at  Springfield,  in  the  interest  of  the  ADVOCATE,  a 
half-hour  finished  our  interview,  and  we  did  not  meet  Mr. 


181  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Lincoln  again  until  the  next  January  at  the  opening  of 
the  session  of  the  legislature.  He  bided  his  time  at  his 
home;  a  wise  candidate.  He  was  quiet  under  the  most 
flagrant  abuse  and  misrepresentation.  He  could  afford  to 
be;  his  cause  was  just;  the  platform  of  the  party  and  his 
record  was  before  the  country ;  both  were  true. 

The  November  election  was  only  a  formal  record  of  the 
will  of  the  people.  A  remembrance  of  all  the  incidents  that 
came  under  the  observation  of  the  author  in  that  campaign 
would  fill  a  volume. 

The  meeting  of  the  legislature  in  January,  1861,  brought 
to  the  capital  a  large  number  of  people.  Many  distin- 
guished men  from  all  parts  of  the  loyal  states  came  to  see 
the  new  president,  some  by  his  invitation,  others  because 
they  wanted  to  see  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  also  look  in  on  the 
legislature.  Over  half  the  gentlemen  selected  by  Mr. 
Lincoln  for  his  cabinet  visited  him  at  his  home  for  con- 
sultation. Calling  at  his  house  on  the  first  Thursday  in 
January,  we  found  Hon.  Gideon  Welles  there,  whom  he 
selected  as  secretary  of  the  navy;  Edward  Bates,  of  St. 
Louis,  his  attorney-general,  visited  him;  Hon.  George 
Ashmun,  president  of  the  convention  that  nominated  him, 
visited  him  for  consultation,  as  he  was  an  old  personal 
friend,  they  having  served  in  congress  together  from  1846 
to  1848.  There  was  a  constant  stream  of  visitors,  and  it 
was  necessary  for  him  to  have  regular  hours  of  meeting 
them.  The  author,  attending  the  sessions  of  the  legisla- 
ture, met  Mr.  Lincoln  frequently,  and  was  at  the  depot  on 
that  dreary  morning,  February  11,  1861,  when  he  took  his 
departure  from  Springfield,  never  to  look  upon  it  again. 
Notwithstanding  the  unpleasantness  of  the  morning  a  large 
<?rowd  of  people  gathered  at  the  depot,  many  crowding  for- 


ABRAHAM    LINCOLN.  185 

ward  to  get  a  shake  of  his  hand.  When  the  time  for 
departure  came  he  took  a  position  on  the  rear  platform  of 
the  car  and  delivered  a  farewell  address  to  his  neighbors 
and  friends  that  for  genuine  feeling,  pathos,  friendship  for 
his  neighbors,  sympathy  and  deepfelt  sorrow  at  parting, 
and  reliance  on  a  Supreme  Power  in  the  trying  scenes  on 
which  he  was  entering,  has  not  its  equal  for  forcible  expres- 
sion in  the  English  language. 

This  was  the  last  time  we  met  Abraham  Lincoln  in  life. 
Our  busy  editorial  life,  with  its  incessant  toil,  prevented 
our  going  to  Washington  during  the  war.  The  damning 
deed  of  the  assassin  had  been  done,  taking  the  life  of  the 
Nation's  Chief,  and  the  sacred  remains  were  returned  to 
the  state  of  his  adoption.  When  the  mourning  retinue 
arrived  at  Chicago,  and  the  body  laid  in  state  for  two  days 
in  the  City  Hall,  we  were  one  of  the  humble  mourners 
among  the  thousands  that  passed  by  to  view  all  that  was 
mortal  of  the  Nation's  Defender,  the  Great  Emancipator 
being  returned  to  his  home  for  sepulchure. 


STEPHEN  A.  DOUGLAS. 


Historical  Reflections  — Birth  and  Early  Life  — Education  — He 
comes  West  —  Teaches  School  —  Admitted  to  Practice  Law 

—  Chosen  Attorney  General — Elected  to  the  Legislature — 
Appointed  Register  of  Land  Office— Candidate  for  Congress 

—  His  Canvass  with  Judge  Brown  —  Humors  of  the  canvass 

—  "Divil  av  a  discint"  —  Is  beaten  —  Is  again  a  Candidate 
Succeeds  — Elected  to  U.  S.  Senate— His  Senatorial  canvass 

•    with  Lincoln  —  His  Death. 

The  lives  of  great  men  require  careful  study.  The 
events  connected  therewith  closely  identify  them,  in  all 
their  leading  incidents,  with  the  people  who  forced  great- 
ness on  them.  A  faithful  portraiture  of  so  prominent  a 
man  as  the  subject  of  our  notice  cannot  be  without  great 
interest,  absorbing  beyond  that  excited  by  events  connected 
with  men  less  actively  engaged  than  he  was  in  the  stirring 
scenes  of  his  public  career. 

Stephen  A.  Douglas  was  born  at  Brandon,  Vermont, 
April  23,  1813.  His  father  died  when  Stephen  was  only 
three  months  old,  leaving  a  sufficient  competence,  so  that 
the  child  and  youth  was  comfortably  cared  for  and  given  a 
fair  rudimental  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
country.  In  these  he  was  noted  for  readiness,  diligence, 
and  retentive  memory.  He  was  kind  and  amiable,  and 
won  the  love  and  esteem  of  his  teachers.  In  temper  he 
was  lively  and  vivacious. 


STEPHEN   A.  DOUGLAS.  187 

At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  wished  to  prepare  himself  for 
college,  but  on  "  sitting  down  to  count  the  cost/7  in  a 
friendly  council  with  his  mother,  it  was  decided,  much  to 
his  disappointment,  that  the  family  treasury  could  not 
honor  the  draft.  "  That  7s  the  state  of  the  exchequer,  then, 
is  it?"  said  Stephen;  then  thinking  a  moment,  he  said: 
"I'll  learn  a  trade  so  I  can  earn  my  own  living/7  and  the 
same  day  started  out  to  'find  a  situation  as  an  apprentice,, 
which  he  succeeded  in  doing  in  a  furniture  manufactory. 
Here  he  ingeniously  wrought  for  eighteen  months,  making 
good  progress,  when  sufficient  means  were  acquired  to  give 
him  the  necessary  "  preparation/7  and  he  entered  the  acad- 
emy at  Brandon.  He  made  rapid  progress  in  the  class  of 
studies  to  which  he  directed  his  attention.  He  attended 
one  year,  when  his  mother  removed  to  Canandaigua,  N.Y., 
and  Stephen  entered  the  academy  there  as  a  student.  Stay- 
ing there  another  year  he  was  prepared  to  enter  on  other 
studies,  and  deciding  on  the  law  for  a  profession,  he  entered 
the  office  of  one  of  the  leading  attorneys  there,  Mr.  Hub- 
bell,  and  studied  until  1833. 

Then,  fully  equipped  mentally,  "as  the  law  directs/7  the 
mighty  West,  with  all  its  vast  opportunities,  opened  out  on 
his  vision.  Ou  his  journey  he  stopped  at  Cincinnati,  Louis- 
ville, St.  Louis,  and  on  to  Jacksonville.  Casting  about,  he 
"received  a  call77  to  teach  a  school  at  Winchester,  obtain- 
ing forty  pupils  for  a  three  months7  tutelage,  at  $3.00  for 
the  quarter,  which,  he  says,  "  was  the  first  quarterage  I  ever 
received.77  He  devoted  his  evenings  and  spare  time  to- 
perfecting  his  law  studies,  and  at  the  close  of  his  school  he 
was  admitted  to  practice  by  the  Supreme  Court  and  opened 
an  office  at  Jacksonville. 

In  1834,  while  not  yet  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  was 


188  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

elected  by  the  legislature  Attorney  General  of  the  State. 
In  1836  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature  from  Morgan 
County,  and  first  met  Abraham  Lincoln  at  the  opening  of 
the  session,  at  Vandalia,  in  December  of  that  year. 

After  the  adjournment  of  the  legislature  in  1837,  he  was 
appointed  by  President  Van  Buren  register  of  the  Land 
Office  at  Springfield,  and  removing  there,  he  and  Mr.  Lin- 
coln became  neighbors.  In  1838  'the  democrats  nominated 
him  for  Congress  from  the  Springfield  district,  against 
Major  John  T.  Stuart,  the  whig  candidate,  the  district 
taking  in  the  whole  of  Northern  Illinois  from  Sangamon 
and  Morgan  counties,  including  Chicago,  Galena,  and  all 
the  country  from  the  Mississippi  to  the  eastern  boundary  of 
the  State.  Really  a  "from  Dan  to  Beersheba"  district. 
Both  candidates  entered  the  canvass  to  traverse  this  vast 
territory.  It  was  while  Mr.  Douglas  was  "  looking  after 
his  political  fences"  in  this  campaign  that  we  first  met  him. 
He  was  accompanied  on  his  canvass  by  Hon.  Thomas  C. 
Brown,  of  Galena,  one  of  the  associate  judges  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  this  state. 

It  was  near  sunset  that  two  horsemen  came  up  the  road 
from  toward  Peoria,  approaching  father's  cabin.  One  was 
a  tall  man,  of  commanding  presence,  sitting  upon  his  horse 
erect,  and  the  other  astride  of  a  powerful  horse,  but  appear- 
ing, as  they  came  up  the  road,  to  be  a  youth  of  sixteen. 
They  approached  our  fourteen-feet  square  log  cabin.  Fa- 
ther, mother,  self  and  other  members  of  the  family  were 
sitting  in  the  shed  stoop  that  fronted  the  road,  and  had  ob- 
served the  travelers  coming  some  minutes  before  they  came 
in  front.  Judge  Brown  asked  father  if  they  could  stay  all 
night,  at  the  same  time  mentioning  his  own  and  Mr.  Doug- 
las'  name.  They  were  told  they  could  stay  if  they  would 


STEPHEN    A.  DOUGLAS.  189 

accept  such  accommodation  as  the  cabin  afforded.  So  the 
great  notables  were  our  guests  —  a  big  judge  and  a  pros- 
pective congressman.  Their  horses  were  bountifully  pro- 
vided for,  and  in  a  very  short  time  the  big  and  little  great 
men  were  invited  around  our  plentiful  board,  for  we  have 
said  in  another  page  of  this  book  that  father  was  an  old 
hotel  (they  called  it  tavern  at  that  day)  keeper,  and  mother 
preserved  the  .reputation  of  the  house  by  her  rare  skill  in 
cooking,  every  eatable  and  drinkable  being  set  up  in  the 
most  appetizing  style,  her  motto  being,  that  cooking  could 
be  done  just  as  well  in  a  log  cabin  as  in  the  best-appointed 
hotels.  Our  "distinguished  guests"  were  pleased;  they 
said  so,  and  the  family  were  all  pleased  because  our  guests 
were.  It  made  no  difference  if  they  were  democrats  and 
father  and  the  boys  were  whigs  (the  latter  not  then  voters). 
The  stories  went  round  about  even  between  the  Judge, 
Douglas,  and  my  father,  while  we  boys  listened,  unless  we 
were  spoken  to,  and  the  big  men  were  sociable  with  all  the 
children. 

One  story  we  remember,  Douglas  told  about  himself,  of  his 
campaigning  experience.  He  had  been  up  at  Joliet,  where 
there  were  hundreds  of  men  working  on  the  canal.  Most 
of  them  were  the  broadest  kind  of  Erin-go-bragh  fellows, 
just  from  the  "  ould  sod,"  and,  of  course,  in  those  days,  all 
these  were  democrats.  Douglas  said:  "I  had  an  apprecia- 
tive audience ;  they  cheered  me ;  in  fact,  they  were  too 
friendly.  I  was  extolling  the  patriotism  of  Ireland,  the 
virtues  of  her  people,  the  bravery  of  her  sons,  and  beauty 
of  her  daughters ;  I  even  referred  to  myself  as  being 
descended  from  a  long  line  of  patriotic  sires  of  Irish  de- 
scent. When  I  had  said  that,"  continued  Mr.  Douglas, 
"  a  great,  big,  burly  Irishman,  over  six  foot  high,  rose  and 


190  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

said :  "  Do  you  say  Mr,  Dooglas,  that  you  discinded  from 
the  great  McDooglases  of  Ireland  ?"  Mr.  Douglas  assented. 
"  Coming  forward  where  I  was  talking  the  big  man  patron- 
izingly leaned  over  me,  spreading  out  his  brawny  arms, " 
said,  "  What  a  divil  of  a  discint,"  which  closed  his  speech, 
but  said  Mr.  Douglas,  "  I  expect  to  get  all  their  votes." 

Douglas  and  his  friend  Judge  Brown  remained  as  guests 
until  next  day,  when  they  departed  on  their  mission.  Soon 
the  election  came  off.  Douglas  received  the  votes  of  the 
"  canal  ring  "  as  the  thousands  of  laborers  on  the  canal  were 
at  that  time  called,  but  there  were  not  quite  enough  of  them 
to  elect  him.  He  was  beaten  by  just  five  majority  for 
Major  Stuart,  was  urged  to  contest  the  election,  and  did 
go  into  the  investigation,  having  for  its  objects  to  prove 
illegal  voting  for  Stuart,  but  the  more  he  investigated  he 
found  that  it  was  likely  to  increase  Stuart's  majority,  and 
he  was  disappointed  in  his  congressional  aspirations  for 
that  time. 

But  with  the  politician's  hopefulness  ever  rising  to 
cheer  the  young  aspirant,  with  the  expressed  hope  of  "  bet- 
ter luck  next  time,"  he  devoted  himself  more  assiduously 
than  ever  to  his  law  practice.  His  tact  and  skill  gave  him 
a  wide  professional  reputation,  and  the  fact  of  his  having 
been  a  member  of  the  legislature,  attorney-general,  register 
of  the  land  office,  and  an  almost  successful  candidate  for 
congress  over  half  the  territorial  limits  of  the  state,  made 
him  the  best  known  man  in  the  state.  He  largely  increased 
this  acquaintance  by  making  a  thorough  canvass  of  the 
state  in  the  presidential  campaign  of  1840.  It  was  called 
the  "  Log  Cabin  and  Hard  Cider  campaign,"  he  addressing 
two  hundred  and  seven  meetings  from  the  beginning  to  the 
close  of  the  canvass. 


STEPHEN    A.  DOUGLAS.  191 

Gov.  Carlin  appointed  him  secretary  of  state  in  Decem- 
ber, 1840,  and  during  that  session  the  supreme  court  of  the 
state  was  reorganized  by  adding  four  additional  members, 
and  Douglas  was  elected  to  a  seat  and  assigned  to  the 
Quincy  circuit. 

He  was  so  social  and  so  anxious  to  stand  well  with  the 
boys,  that  when  a  suit  was  pending  he  would  keep  track  of 
all  the  proceedings,  decide  all  points  of  law,  leave  the  bench, 
go  back  among  the  bystanders  recognizing  Tom,  or  Jack, 
or  Bill,  distribute  or  take  a  cigar,  enjoy  asocial  smoke  with 
them,  sit  down  familiarly  with  them,  often  in  their  laps,  at 
the  same  time  keeping  track  of  what  all  the  members  of  the 
bar  were  doing.  A  judge  with  this  elasticity  of  talent 
could  not  fail  to  be  popular.  He  was  preparing  his  way 
for  his  congressional  career,  which,  when  commenced 
never  was  broken  until  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was 
elected  to  congress  in  1843,  after  serving  nearly  three  years 
on  the  bench.  He  served  three  terms  in  the  house  of  rep- 
resentatives and  was  a  studious  toiler,  unceasing  in  his  at- 
tention to  business,  and  his  knowledge  of  public  affairs  be- 
came vast,  complete  and  accurate. 

When  he  entered  Congress,  the  question  which  had  for 
years  in  one  shape  or  another  been  brought  up  for  consid- 
eration, was  to  refund  to  General  Jackson  the  fine  imposed 
upon  him  by  Judge  Hall  for  placing  New  Orleans  under 
martial  law  at  the  time  he  was  making  preparation  to 
defend  that  city  from  the  British  in  January  1815.  Douglas 
studied  all  the  legal  points  involved,  both  in  civil  and  mili- 
tary law,  brought  the  batteries  of  his  legal  arsenal  to  bear 
on  the  question,  and  made  such  a  masterly  exposition  of  the 
"  military  necessity "  that  compelled  General  Jackson  to 
declare  martial  law,  that  it  attracted  the  attention  of  mili- 


192  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

tary  and  civil  officials  all  over  the  United  States  and 
Europe.  Jackson  himself,  in  thanking  Douglas  for  this 
effort  and  the  success  attending  it,  said  to  him,  "  1  knew 
when  I  proclaimed  and  enforced  martial  law  that  I  was 
doing  right,  but  never  until  I  read  your  speech  could  I 
express  the  reason  which  actuated  my  conduct."  In  1847 
Douglas  entered  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  the  goal 
of  his  ambition  —  except  being  president.  To  this  he  bent 
every  other  interest,  as  it  was  a  noble  ambition  and  worthy 
of  any  man.  To  promote  the  interest  of  the  people  was  to 
promote  his  own,  and  after  his  successful  labor  in  securing 
the  .grant  of  land  to  aid  in  building  the  Illinois  Central 
railroad,  and  the  large  degree  of  popularity  awarded  to 
him  for  his  agency  and  great  influence,  he  cast  about  for 
other  measures  that  would  impress  them  still  more  favora- 
bly. He  aided  in  the  compromise  measures  of  1850-51, 
that  he  was  sure  would  hold  the  South  to  his  support,  and 
not  drive  away  any  from  the  border  or  northern  states. 

To  his  mind  the  question  would  commend  itself  to  the 
whole  country,  and  having  that  fixed,  his  fertile  genius 
commenced  to  evolve  other  problems  that  he  would  have 
the  credit  of  originating  —  almost  claim  as  his  own  by  right 
of  discovery,  that  he  could  present  to  the  country  as  the 
original  inventor,  claiming  copyright,  and,  as  patent,  bearing 
the  great  seal  of  approval  by  the  people.  It  must  have  a 
high  sounding  and  patriotic  title, —  hence  Popular  Sover- 
eignty—  the  rule  or  government  of  the  masses,  to  suit  the 
North  and  not  be  objectionable  at  the  South.  This  was  the 
process  of  reasoning  that  brought  to  his  mind  the  repeal 
of  the  Missouri  compromise,  removing  the  statutory  line, 
taking  down  the  bars,  and  giving  free  access  to  first  comers 
in  sufficient  numbers  to  impress  their  policy  or  institutions 


STEPHEN    A.  DOUGLAS.  193 

on  the  new  territories  before  admission  as  states.  The 
time,  too,  was  well  chosen  to  accomplish  this  patriotic  and 
popular  idea.  The  presidential  election  of  1852  was  passed 
and  there  was  a  state  of  quietude,  on  the  surface  at  least, 
of  the  political  waters,  but  in  Douglas'  case  "  still  waters 
run  deep,"  and  he  prepared  to  launch  his  "  popular  sover- 
eignty "  barque  to  navigate  them,  with  the  probabilities 
strongly  in  favor  that  his  port  of  entry  would  be  the  presi- 
dential mansion  on  the  4th  of  March  1857,  and  failing 
that,  to  sail  the  same  craft  for  a  positive  successful  landing 
in  1861. 

Here  is  the  programme,  as  gathered  from  Douglas  him- 
self in  various  brief  conversations  from  1854  to  1860, 
which  our  recollection  enables  us  to  give  in  substance, 
which  history  will  verify.  After  various  preliminary  propo- 
sitions and  discussions,  which  it  is  not  here  necessary  to 
introduce,  Mr.  Douglas  introduced,  January  23,  1854,  the 
Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  which,  in  unexpected  and  ultimate 
consequences  to  him,  was  then  beyond  his  political  ken. 
The  bill  divided  the  territory  from  latitude  37  degrees  to 
latitude  43  degrees  and  30  minutes  into  two  territories,  the 
southern  to  be  called  Kansas,  and  the  northern  Nebraska ; 
the  territory  between  latitude  36  degrees  and  30  minutes, 
and  37  degrees  was  now  left  to  the  Indians.  It  was  de- 
clared to  be  the  purpose  of  the  act  to  carry  out  propositions 
and  principles  embracing  all  questions  as  to  slavery  in  the 
territories,  or  the  states  to  be  formed  from  them,  these  to  be 
left  to  the  people  or  their  representatives  residing  therein. 

Here  was  where  the  "  squatter  sovereignty  "  wedge  was 
introduced,  and  further  explaining  that  "  it  being  the  true 
intent  and  meaning  of  this  act  not  to  legislate  slavery  into 
any  territory  or  state,  nor  to  exclude  it  therefrom,  but  to 


194  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

leave  the  people  thereof  perfectly  free  to  form  and  regulate 
their  domestic  institutions  in  their  own  way,  subject  only 
to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States."  To  this  there 
wa*  an  amendment  offered  by  Chase,  of  Ohio,  "  allowing 
the  people  to  prohibit  slavery  therein,  if  they  saw  fit." 
This  was  voted  down  36  to  10.  March  3,  1854,  the  bill 
passed  the  senate  by  a  vote  of  37  to  14,  and  was  not  taken 
up  in  the  house  until  May  8th,  and  was  passed  May  24th, 
the  vote  being  113  for  to  100  against.  May  30  President 
Pierce  approved  it,  and  Mr.  Douglas'  pet  bill  became  a  law, 
and  thus  were  these  two  territories  thrown  open  to  settle- 
ment on  equal  terms,  leaving  the  settlers  at  liberty  to  intra- 
duce  or  exclude  slavery  as  they  should  think  proper. 

This  we  believe  was  the  gist  of  the  law  as  Mr.  Douglas 
expounded  and  defended  it  before  the  people  from  1854  to 
1860.  Its  ultimate  and  unexpected  consequences  were  fatal 
to  his  political  prospects. 

In  1856,  the  south  finding  that  they  could  not  make 
Mr.  Douglas  the  supple  and  pliant  instrument  to  carry  out 
their  designs,  nominated  Buchanan,  whom  they  could  use, 
the  ultra  southern  wing  gradually  drawing  away,  although 
the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill  was  endorsed  by  the  Cincinnati 
convention  of  1856  as  a  kind  of  plaster,  so  that  Douglas 
would  not  feel  his  defeat  so  keenly.  Buchanan,  in  his  letter 
of  acceptance,  endorsed  it,  saying  "  that  the  people  of  a 
territory,  like  those  of  a  state,  shall  decide  for  themselves 
whether  slavery  shall  not  exist  within  their  limits^" 

After  using  Douglas'  popularity  to  carry  him  into  the 
presidential  chair  he  basely  deserted  the  platform  on  which 
he  was  nominated,  adopted  ultra  southern  views,  and  on  the 
meeting  of  congress  he  boldly  and  in  shameless  defiance  of 
his  previous  pledges  to  the  country,  urged  the  admission  of 


STEPHEN    A.  DOUGLAS.  195 

Kansas  under  the  Lecompton  constitution.  Buchanan  said, 
in  answer  to  a  deputation  that  called  on  him  to  remonstrate 
against  this  measure,  "  slavery  exists  in  Kansas  under  the 
constitution  of  the  United  States.  This  point  has  at  last 
been  decided  by  the  highest  tribunal  known  to  our  laws. 
How  it  could  be  seriously  doubted  is  a  mystery/' 

Douglas  tells  the  circumstances  of  his  disagreement 
with  the  president  in  a  speech  at  Chicago,  to  which  we 
listened  in  the  canvass  of  1860.  It  was  at  the  great  mass 
meeting  held  on  the  then  vacant  block  west  of  Elizabeth 
street,  between  Madison  and  Washington,  near  the  closing 
of  the  campaign.  Douglas  shall  tell  it  himself: 

"  If  you  look  into  the  Lecompton  constitution  you  will 
find  that  the  original  document  made  Kansas  a  slave  state, 
and  then  the  schedule  submitted  another  clause  to  the  peo- 
ple to  vote  for  or  against ;  if  they  voted  for  it,  Kansas  was 
a  slave  state,  and  if  they  voted  against  it  still  it  was  a  slave 
state.  When  I  reached  Washington,  three  days  before  the 
meeting  of  Congress,  I  went  directly  to  the  president,  and 
had  a  talk  with  him  upon  this  subject,  in  which  I  implored 
him  as  a  friend  not  to  send  the  constitution  into  Congress 
for  acceptance. 

"  I  told  him  that  it  was  a  violation  of  every  pledge  we 
had  ever  made  to  the  people ;  a  violation  of  the  fundamen- 
tal principles  of  the  democratic  party,  and  a  violation  of 
the  principles  of  all  parties  in  all  republican  governments; 
because  it  was  an  attempt  to  force  a  constitution  upon  an 
unwilling  people.  He  begged  me  not  to  f^iy  anything  upon 
the  subject  until  we  should  hear  the  news  as  to  how  the 
vote  stood  on  the  slavery  clause.  The  vote,  you  remem- 
ber, was  to  be  taken  on  the  slavery  clause  on  the  21st  of 
December,  three  or  four  weeks  subsequent  to  this  conven- 
tion. I  told  the  president  that  if  he  would  wtehhoM  his 
recommendation  until  the  vote  was  taken  on  that  clause  I 
would  withhold  my  speech  against  the  measure.  He  said 


196  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

he  must  recommend  it  in  his  message,  and  I  replied  that  if 
he  did  I  would  denounce  it  the  moment  his  message  was 
read.  At  last  the  President  became  somewhat  excited 
upon  the  subject,  and  arose  and  said  to  me :  '  Mr.  Doug- 
las, I  desire  you  to  remember  that  no  democrat  ever 
yet  differed  from  an  administration  of  his  own  choice  with- 
out being  crushed/  Then  he  added, '  Beware  of  the  fate  of 
Talmadge  and  Rives/  I  arose  and  said,  '  Mr.  President, 
I  wish  you  to  remember  that  General  Jackson  is  dead,  sir/ 
From  that  day  to  this  he  and  I  have  been  trying  the  ques- 
tion whether  General  Jackson  is  dead.  And  one  thing  is 
certain, —  the  people  of  Illinois  decided  in  1858  that  James 
Buchanan  was  not  General  Jackson." 

That  is  the  history  of  the  Buchanan-Douglas  political 
leave-taking  just  before  the  assembling  of  congress  in 
1857.  Douglas  fully  felt  the  gravity  of  the  situation  on 
his  own  future  prospects.  It  meant  that  he  had  two  fights 
on  his  hands  instead  of  one  —  he  must  fight  the  adminis- 
tration and  the  steadily  growing  republican  party. 

At  the  opening  of  congress  the  Lecomptonites,  assured 
of  the  aid  of  the  administration,  demanded  that  Kansas 
should  be  admitted  under  that  constitution,  threatening  dis- 
union if  not  unconditionally  complied  with.  Douglas,  the 
champion  of  popular  sovereignty,  determined  to  be.  true  to 
his  pledges,  promptly  stepped  forward  and  fought  the 
battle  of  freedom  for  Kansas,  single-handed,  from  his  own 
party  in  the  senate,  the  Illinois  delegation  sustaining  him, 
and  popular-sovereignty  democrats  standing  side  by  side 
with  republicans.  Thus  the  recreant  president  and  his 
allies  were  defeated  in  their  attempt  to  force  slavery  on 
Kansas.  Douglas  delivered  his  celebrated  anti-Lecompton 
speech  March  22d,  1858,  listened  to  with  great  interest  by 
the  dignitaries  and  representatives  of  foreign  courts  in 
Washington,  and  was  congratulated  by  all  parties.  He 


STEPHEN    A.  DOUGLAS.  197 

spoke  for  three  hours,  warming  up  by  degrees,  expounding 
the  meaning  and  intent  of  the  law.  He  referred  to  himself 
personally,  not  vain-gloriously  taking  credit  for  what  he 
had  done,  but  for  the  purpose  of  vindicating  himself  from 
the  aspersions  cast  on  him  by  his  former  political  asso- 
ciates. He  went  through  his  public  course.  He  showed 
what  his  acts  had  been ;  echoed  his  own  words ;  said  he 
was  proud  of  what  he  had  done ;  called  attention  to  his 
acts,  and  defied  his  fault-finding  democratic  brethren  to 
show  that  every  public  act  of  his  life  had  not  been  recog- 
nized as  the  policy  and  principles  of  the  democratic  party. 
He  defined  his  position  in  the  present  crisis, —  what  the 
duty  of  a  senator  from  a  sovereign  state  was,  and  the 
responsibility  he  owed  to  the  people  whose  voice  he  repre- 
sented. He  lifted  the  head  and  heart  of  the  audience  with 
him.  He  held  the  multitude  chained  with  that  peculiar 
eloquence  which,  based  on  common  sense  and  the  rights  of 
man,  reaches  its  destination  without  the  aid  of  rhetorical 
flourishes.  Such  eloquence  does  not  dazzle,  it  convinces; 
it  does  not  stretch  the  fancy,  but  solidifies  the  head ;  it  does 
not  hold  the  breath,  but  makes  one  breathe  freer,  for  it 
cheers. the  heart.  The  applause  which  broke  from  the 
galleries  and  rolled  from  side  to  side  of  the  chamber  was  a 
noble  testimony  to  the  principles  enunciated.  He  was 
there  as  the  defender  of  the  people,  the  representative  of  the 
state,  not  the  vassal  of  the  executive  to  do  its  bidding,  but 
consulting  the  interests  of  the  people.  He  stood  forth  as 
the  champion  of  state  sovereignty.  He  grew  in  enthusiasm 
with  the  progress  of  his  speech,  and  the  effect  was  electrical. 
Time  wore  on  after  this  triumphant  speech,  bringing 
the  canvass  of  1858  between  him  and  Mr.  Lincoln,  to 
which  we  have  given  considerable  space.  We  have  seen 


198  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

that  their  principal  subject  of  discussion  was  slavery  and 
the  territories,  one  insisting  that  Congress  for  the  Ameri- 
can people  had  the  right  to  exclude  it,  and  should  do  so ; 
Mr.  Douglas  insisting  that  each  territory  should  be  left  to 
settle  its  own  domestic  institutions  in  its  own  way  subject 
only  to  the  constitution  of  the  United  States.  Both  these 
men  were  working  better  than  they  knew.  Both  were 
teaching  and  making  more  prominent,  and  more  than  ever 
sacred,  the  majesty  of  majorities.  This  discussion  has  aptly 
been  called  "  The  battle  of  the  giants,"  Mr.  Lincoln  secur- 
ing the  presidency,  and  Mr.  Douglas  his  re-election  to  the 
senate. 

But  with  a  page  or  two  more  our  recollections  of  these 
two  great  patriotic  Hercules  must  close.  The  limits  of 
these  sketches  have  been  drawn  out  at  greater  length  than 
at  first  intended.  They  were  both  patriots.  Douglas  wished 
to  be  president  because  in  that  exalted  station  he  could 
best  serve  the  country,  and  he  bent  all  his  great  powers  of 
head  and  heart  to  achieve  his  noble  ambition.  Lincoln  WAS 
made  president  because  he  had  no  ambition  in  that  direct- 
ion. He  had  no  claims  on  the  people,  but  the  people  had 
on  him,  and  the  spontaneous  demand  went  up  from  the 
loyal  majorities  that  he  should  be  president.  He  was  not 
disobedient  to  the  call  of  his  country.  Both  men  fulfilled 
their  destiny,  well  rounded  up  their  years  and  honors.  Mr. 
Douglas  at  the  close  of  the  extra  session  of  Congress  in 
April,  1861,  hastened  to  Springfield  where  the  legislature  was 
in  session,  to  assure  the  assembled  representatives  of  the 
people  of  the  aid  of  his  powerful  influence  to  rouse  the  people 
to  meet  the  emergency  promptly.  Before  leaving  Washing- 
ton he  had  called  on  Mr.  Lincoln  to  assure  him  of  his 
earnest  co-operation  in  measures  taken  to  raise  forces  to 
put  down  the  rebellion. 


STEPHEN    A.  DOUGLAS.  199' 

He  gave  Gov.  Yates  the  same  assurance  when  he  arrived 
at  Springfield,  and  was  invited  by  the  legislature  and  lead- 
ing citizens  to  address  a  meeting  at  Representative  Hall. 
He  denounced  the  rebellion  as  a  "  wide-spread  conspiracy  to 
overthrow  the  best  government  the  sun  ever  shown  upon," 
urged  all  "as  one  man  to  rush  to  the  defense  of  that  we 
hold  most  dear/7  giving  the  reason  why  he  urged  the  people 
to  quick  action,  he  continued  :  "  I  have  plead  and  implored 
for  compromise.  Now  that  all  else  has  failed,  there  is  but 
one  course  left,  and  that  is  to  rally  as  one  man  under  the 
flag.  What  single  act  has  been  done  to  justify  this  attempt 
to  overthrow  the  Republic?"  "The  will  of  the  majority 
constitutionally  expressed,  should  govern."  "  It  is  a  crime 
against  the  freedom  of  the  world  to  attempt  to  blot  the 
United  States  out  of  the  map  of  Christendom."  "  Gentle- 
men, it  is  our  duty  to  defend  our  constitution  and  protect 
our  flag."  "  Let  me  say  to  my  old  friends  you  will  be  false 
and  unworthy  of  your  principles  if  you  allow  political 
defeat  to  convert  you  into  traitors  to  your,  national  flag. 
The  shortest  way  to  peace  is  the  most  stupendous  and 
unanimous  preparation  for  war." 

From  Springfield  he  hastened  to  Chicago.  Men  of  all 
parties  hailed  his  coming.  He  spoke  this  time,  and  the 
last,  in  the  "  Wigwam,"  then  consecrated  to  patriotic  meet- 
ings. It  was  an  effort  worthy  the  last  of  the  patriot  states- 
man's life.  It  was  oracular,  prophetic,  commanding, 
beseeching  and  persuading.  Its  arguments  were  unan- 
swerable. It  was  like  the  words  of  the  prophets  of  old, 
appealing  to  conscience,  the  heart,  and  love  of  country. 
The  words  of  these  speeches  rang  out  all  over  the  country, 
were  read  in  all  families,  and  the  united  country  heard 
it  passed  from  lip  to  lip,  "  Douglas  sustains  Lincoln,"  and 


200 

the  voice  of  treason  was  shamed  into  silence.  We  give,  in 
closing,  some  of  these  last  words.  "  The  present  secession 
movement  is  the  result  of  an  enormous  conspiracy,  formed 
more  than  a  year  ago.  The  conspiracy  is  now  known." 
"  There  are  only  two  sides  to  the  question.  Every  man 
must  be  for  the  United  States  or  against  it.  There  can  be 
no  neutrals  in  this  war ;  ONLY  PATRIOTS  —  or  traitors. 
Thank  God,  Illinois  is  not  divided  on  this  question.  I 
know  the  rebels  expected  to  present  a  united  South  against 
a  divided  North."  We  give  the  closing  paragraph  of  this 
greatest  and  last  speech :  "  I  express  it  as  my  con- 
viction before  God  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  American 
citizen  to  rally  round  the  flag  of  his  country.  Illinois  has 
a  proud  position,  united,  firm,  determined  never  to  permit 
the  government  to  be  destroyed." 

These  words  were  the  seal  of  his  usefulness  here  on 
earth.  When  he  closed  he  returned  to  his  rooms  at  the 
Tremont  House.  He  had  been  laboring  and  suffering  from 
the  effects  of  a  severe  cold,  was  hoarse,  spoke  with  diffi- 
culty, and  the  effort  was  too  much  for  him.  His  hoarseness 
increased.  He  laid  down  to  die,  while  the  loyal  millions 
at  home  and  in  the  field  were  reading  his  patriotic  utter- 
ances he  was  wrestling  with  the  throes  of  death. 


DISTINGUISHED     WOMEN. 


MRS.  FRANCES  A.  WOOD  SHIMER. 

FOUNDER  OF  MOUNT  CARROLL  SEMINARY. 

Introductory  — Student  of  history  —  Great  results  from  small  be- 
ginnings—  Two  determined  women  — One  improvement  fol- 
lows another  —  More  land  bought  —  Miss  Wood  married — 
Dissolution  of  partnership  —  Miss  Ada  C.  Joy  —  Dr.  Henry 
Shinier—  Ornithological  collection  —  Scientific  attainments  — 
Library  —  Different  departments  —  The  faculty  —  Present 
board  of  instruction  — Description  of  buildings  —  Internal 
arrangements  —  Water  supply  —  Plumbing  —  Ventilation  — 
Ruttan  system  —  Sewerage  —  Gas  making  —  Student' s  pas- 
times —  Promenades  —  Architectural  lecture  — Well  arranged 
grounds  — What  one  woman  has  done  —  Encouragement  for 
others  to  do  likewise. 

The  author  of  these  "  Recollections  "  need  not  offer  an 
apology  for  the  introduction  into  the  work  of  so  many 
pages,  yes,  whole  chapters,  to  educational  institutions, 
their  controling  force,  the  master  minds  of  the  educators  of 
this  state,  the  Archimedean  levers  that  give  power  to  all 
other  industries,  professions  and  callings  of  our  great 
country. 

We  have  no  partiality  for  one  institution  over  another, 
but  are  acquainted  with  the  system  and  educational  plans 
of  some  of  the  institutions  of  this  state  more  than  we  are 


202  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

with  others,  which  enables  us  to  write  understandiugly 
of  their  merits.  In  the  course  of  our  newspaper  and  edi- 
torial work  since  1858,  education,  educators  and  their 
work,  has  been  part  of  our  study,  in  fact  we  have  been 
a  student  all  these  years,  not  IN  these  institutions  but  OUT 
of  them,  noting  the  good  they  do,  and  the  wide-spreading 
influence  they  command,  by  the  better  class  of  men  and 
women  that  are  trained  by  their  teachings  to  enter  upon 
life's  duties  with  clearer  and  better  defined  purposes  be- 
cause of  this  teaching. 

Of  one  of  these  great  institutions  that  has  been  built  up 
within  thirty  years  we  propose  to  speak, —  Mount  Carroll 
Seminary,  built,  controlled,  managed  architecturally,  educa- 
tionally and  financially  by  the  genius  of  women.  It  has 
been  a  progressive  institution,  coming  up  through  these 
years  from  small  beginnings  to  one  completed  whole,  among 
the  best  in  the  land. 

In  the  year  1853  two  young  ladies,  Miss  Frances  A, 
Wood  and  Miss  Cinderella  M.  Gregory,  graduates  of  the 
Normal  school  at  Albany,  New  York,  came  to  Mt.  Carroll,, 
seeking  an  opening  in  the  educational  field  in  the  west. 
They  arranged  for  a  room,  their  first  term  commencing  May 
11,  1853,  with  eleven  pupils,  but  increased  to  forty  before 
the  close  of  the  term.  This  select  school  continued  in  these 
quarters  for  over  one  year,  still  growing  in  popularity, 
Misses  Wood  and  Gregory  working  together  as  educators, 
while  Miss  Wood  financiered  the  embryo  seminary. 

A  charter  for  the  "  Mount  Carroll  Seminary"  had  been 
obtained  by  the  citizens  at  the  session  of  the  state  legisla- 
ture in  1852.  The  success  that  marked  the  labors  of  Misses 
Wood  and  Gregory  led  the  board  of  corporators  to  pro- 
pose to  them  to  organize  formally  under  their  charter,  sub- 


MRS.  FRANCES   A.  WOOD   SHIMER.  203 

ject  to  the  management  of  the  board.  To  this  the  ladies 
consented,  on  conditions  that  a  suitable  building  should  be 
erected  for  the  accommodation  of  the  school.  The  board  at 
once  organized  a  stock  company  and  opened  the  books  for 
subscriptions.  About  three  thousand  dollars  worth  of  stock 
was  subscribed  and  the  corporators  proceeded  with  the 
work,  purchasing  five  acres  of  ground  at  a  cost  of  five 
hundred  dollars,  and  during  the  summer  of  1854  erected  a 
building  forty-two  by  forty-six  feet,  two  and  a  half  stories 
and  basement;  In  October,  1854,  the  school  was  removed 
to  this  building  and  duly  organized  under  the  charier,  the 
board  of  trustees  assuming  control,  and  Misses  Wood  and 
Gregory  taking  charge  as  salaried  teachers.  The  success  in 
increasing  the  stock  and  making  collections  of  that  already 
subscribed  came  short  of  the  expectations  of  the  board,  and 
as  the  spring  opened,  the  time  for  enclosing  the  grounds, 
with  the  finishing  of  many  needed  improvements,  found 
them  without  the  funds  for  the  work.  As  only  about  one 
thousand  dollars  of  the  stock  subscribed  had  been  paid  in, 
it  will  be  seen  the  building  and  furnishing  thus  far  had 
been  done  mainly  on  borrowed  capital.  The  creditors  were 
getting  uneasy.  Something  must  be  done.  The  board 
was  disheartened  and  wanted  to  get  the  property  off  their 
hands.  They  offered  it  to  Misses  Wood  and  Gregory  at  the 
cost  of  the  work  done,  and  as  an  inducement  offered  to  donate 
the  five  acres  of  ground  and  furniture,  in  consideration  of 
which  the  ladies  were  to  obligate  themselves  to  continue 
the  school  ten  years.  The  conditions  were  accepted  and 
the  property,  with  the  charter,  transferred  by  the  board  to 
Misses  Wood  and  Gregory. 

After  a  year  or  two  the  ladies  assumed  the  debt  made 
for  the  purchase  of  the  furniture  also,  as  a  condition  for 


204  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

release  from  the  obligation  entered  into  to  continue  the 
school  a  given  time.  Thus  the  only  money-value  aid  re- 
ceived by  Misses  Wood  and  Gregory  from  the  citizens  or 
public,  was  in  the  five  acres  of  ground  donated  by  two 
prominent  members  of  the  board,  Messrs.  Rinewalt  and 
Halderman,  the  original  owners  of  the  land,  which  they 
bought  of  the  government  at  $1.25  per  acre,  occupied  as 
farm  land  at  $7.50  per  acre  till  the  site  was  in  demand  for 
the  seminary  grounds,  when  it  advanced  in  value  to  $100 
per  acre.  Thus,  after  an  experience  of  six  months  under 
the  management  of  a  board  of  trustees,  the  school  was  again 
in  the  hands  of  its  founders,  with  a  debt  of  $4,500  for  the 
building,  and  later,  the  debt  for  the  furniture  assumed. 
Fortunately  Miss  Wood  had  a  small  patrimony  coming 
from  her  father's  estate,  and  some  responsible  friends  east 
as  backers ;  yet  what  a  task  was  before  these  young  women  ! 
As  it  was  now  regarded  as  a  "  private  enterprise/'  no  board 
of  trustees  to  give  it  a  promise  of  success  or  permanency, 
of  course  nothing  was  to  be  expected  from  the  public  in  the 
payment  of  stock  subscribed  or  other  pecuniary  aid.  Pat- 
ronage, however,  was  given  as  far  as  the  conduct  of  the 
school  proved  to  merit  it,  and  it  came  only  thus,  as  it  was 
the  determined  policy  of  the  founders  not  to  solicit  pupils.,  or 
"  beg  funds"  but  to  lend  all  their  energies  to  the  making  of 
a  school  that  should  MERIT  CONFIDENCE,  and  thus  be  cer- 
tain of  a  liberal  patronage.  Thus  has  this  school  been 
throughout  all  these  thirty  years,  an  exception  to  nearly, 
and  so  far  as  the  author  knows,  quite  all  the  schools  in 
the  country,  in  that  its  managers  have  NEVER  ASKED  any 
man,  woman  or  child  for  his  or  her  patronage  —  have  NEVER 
EMPLOYED  an  agent  in  any  capacity  to  solicit  pupils  or  funds 
for  the  support  of  the  school.  Nevertheless,  the  seminary 


MRS.   FRANCES    A.  WOOD    SHIMER.  205 

grew  in  reputation,  a  large  increase  of  students,  as  the 
years  came  and  went,  until  1857,  when  more  room  was 
needed,  an  addition  to  their  building  demanded  —  Miss 
Wood  prepared  the  plans  and  specifications  for  an  addition 
twenty-two  by  sixty  feet  on  the  southeast  part  of  the 
original  building.  Mechanics  were  employed  and  paid  by 
the  day,  and  the  closest  economy  exercised  in  every  partic- 
ular. This  addition  was  raised  two  and  a-half  stories  above 
the  basement,  added  twenty-three  private  rooms,  and  cost 
about  the  same  as  the  first  —  $4,500.  Every  business  man 
of  those  years  (1857  and  1858)  can  recall  the  fearful 
"  panic "  tjiat  crushed  so  many  and  embarrassed  all.  It 
came  with  almost  crushing  force  upon  the  seminary  enter- 
prise just  in  the  midst  of  the  building  of  this  first  addition. 
What  ready  money  there  was  for  the  work  was  closely 
locked  in  bank,  with  no  certainty  of  its  ever  being  available. 
Collections  that  would  have  been  ready  at  call  and  depended 
upon  to  be  put  into  the  work  it  was  impossible  to  get.  The 
rooms  were  in  demand  for  the  opening  of  the  next  school 
year.  What  was  to  be  done  ?  "  Prudence"  perhaps,  would 
have  said,  "  suspend  the  building  work."  These  ladies 
said,  THE  ROOMS  MUST  BE  READY.  To  this  end  Miss  Wood 
(now  Mrs.  Shinier)  spent  the  summer  vacation  in  actual 
labor  in  every  way  possible  to  forward  the  work.  She 
bought  the  material  for  painting  the  building,  at  wholesale, 
mixed  her  own  paints  and  put  upon  this  entire  building 
(except  the  cornice,  the  building  being  of  brick),  painting 
every  one  of  the  twenty-three  rooms  herself,  three  coats  of 
paint.  The  glass  and  putty  she  bought  in  the  same  way, 
and  glazed,  with  her  own  hands,  every  window,  ( forty  of 
them).  The  wall  paper  she  put  upon  every  one  of  the 
twenty-three  rooms  herself  alone.  Thus  she  labored,  not 


206  FIFTY  YEAR'S  RECOLLECTIONS. 

from  penuriousness,  but  what  seemed  to  her  necessity.  The 
money  was  not  at  command  to  pay  for  this  labor.  She 
would  not  increase  debts  with  a  possibility  of  the  laborer 
losing  his  earnings.  The  accommodations  for  pupils  must 
be  ready  or  the  school  would  be  seriously  embarrassed  in  its 
next  year's  work.  AND  THEY  WERE  READY,  and  the 
school  opened. 

Just  then  came  another  crisis  —  the  housekeeper  was 
taken  down  with  severe  illness.  TEACHERS  were  more 
easily  obtained  than  COMPETENT  housekeepers.  Miss 
Wood  placed  a  supply  in  the  schoolroom,  and  took  her 
post  in  the  kitchen.  For  six  weeks  she  did  the  cooking 
and  administered  the  domestic  affairs  of  the  institution  and 
at  the  same  time  filled  the  place  of  nurse  to  the  sick  house- 
keeper. 

Success  and  popularity  attended  the  seminary.  Pluck 
and  determination  had  made  it  a  success.  Its  patronage 
increased,  the  debts  were  paid,  and  new  plans  devised  for 
further  enlargement.  Miss  W~ood  planned  and  worked  on 
the  outside  —  in  the  schoolroom,  in  the  kitchen  when 
necessary;  painted  and  papered,  contracted  for  material, 
managed  everything  with  a  skill  commanding  admiration 
and  defied  opposition.  Miss  Gregory  was  no  less  earnest 
among  the  students,  and  the  good  work  went  on.  By 
enlargements  and  improvements  in  the  years  from  1857  to 
1864,  the  building  and  accessories  had  cost  $14,000,  and  1865 
opened  with  yet  a  larger  demand  for  room.  A  second  addi- 
tion was  built  southwest  of  the  original  building,  and  so 
joined  the  first  addition  as  to  give  the  two  the  appearance 
of  one  building,  both  being  raised  to  the  height  of  the 
original  building,  and  covering  an  area  of  fifty  by  seventy 
feet,  or  altogether  fifty-two  by  one  hundred  and  sixteen 


MRS.  FRANCES    A.  WOOD   SHIMER.  207 

feet.  At  the  same  time  the  rooms  and  internal  arrange- 
ments of  the  first  two  buildings  were  materially  changed, 
making  them  much  more  commodious  and  convenient. 
These  improvements  beginning  in  1865,  were  completed  in 
1867.  In  this  work  the  same  system  was  pursued,  and 
under  the  same  management  as  in  the  addition  made  in 
1857.  Other  lands  were  purchased,  increasing  the  sem- 
inary domain  proper  to  twenty-five  acres.  On  the  added 
grounds  the  work  of  hedging,  tree  planting  and  other 
agricultural  improvements  went  on,  as  on  the  first  five 
ticres,  till  the  entire  campus  is  almost  a  grove,  with  open 
spaces  of  beautiful,  well-kept  lawn,  with  fruit  and  flower 
gardens. 

During  these  busy  years  Miss  Wood  was  married  to  Dr. 
Henry  Shinier. 

In  our  visits  to  the  seriiinary,  which  were  frequent 
from  1870  to  1875,  we  found  Dr.  Shimer  distributing  his 
vast  scientific  acquirements  as  lecturer,  hearing  a  class  in 
mathematics,  discoursing  to  students  or  visitors  on  ento- 
mology, ornithology,  and  the  kindred  science  to  the  last, — 
taxidermy.  An  industrious  student  of  natural  history,  he 
has  collected  a  choice  cabinet  for  the  use  of  the  seminary. 
Those  critical  and  competent  to  judge  in  such  matters  have 
given  it  as  their  opinion  that  his  ornithological  collection  is 
not  equaled  in  any  other  educational  institution  in  the 
northwest,  perhaps  not  in  the  country.  He,  being  in  those 
years  engrossed  in  scientific  educational  duties,  and  later 
in  his  practice  as  a  physician,  has  no  time  to  devote  to  the 
business  details  of  the  institution,  but  that  is  left  in  the 
hands  of  the  one  who  has  shaped,  fashioned,  guided  and 
directed  it  in  its  present  magnificent  success,—  MRS. 
FRANCIS  A.  WOOD  SHIMER. 


208  FIFTY    YEARS7  RECOLLECTIONS. 

There  is  a  library  of  over  three  thousand  volumes,  and 
being  added  to  on  each  recurring  year.  It  is  the  depository 
of  all  the  public  documents  published  at  Washington, 
about  forty  volumes  being  added  every  session  of  Congress. 
To  this  feature  of  the  institution  it  is  indebted  to  Hon.  E. 
B.  Washburn,  when  in  Congress  many  years  ago,  and  it 
has  been  continued  ever  since. 

In  1870  the  partnership  between  Mrs.  Wood  Shimer 
and  Miss  Gregory  was  dissolved,  Mrs.  Shinier  becoming 
sole  proprietor  and  manager  of  the  institution.  Soon  after, 
Miss  Ada  C.  Joy,  of  Maine,  an  accomplished  and  thorough 
educator,  became  associate  principal.  In  addition  to  her 
accomplishments  as  teacher  she  has  fine  executive  ability, 
and  great  tact  and  skill  in  the  management  of  such  a  work. 
Up  to  the  time  of  Miss  Joy's  engagement  with  her  Mrs. 
Shimer  had  no  assistance  whatever  in  the  financial  part  of 
the  enterprise,  which,  with  her  large  and  increasing  business, 
she  now  very  much  needed.  In  this  Miss  Joy  proved  her- 
self equal  to  the  emergency,  as  she  quickly  acquired  a 
knowledge  of  business  details,  and  has  become  a  valuable 
co-laborer  in  this  sphere  of  work  as  in  the  duties  more 
especially  devolving  upon  her  position. 

From  1870  the  continued  increasing  wants  of  the  school 
demanded  more  room,  till  in  1875  a  third  addition  was  pro- 
jected and  completed  in  the  fall  of  1876.  This  is  forty  by 
one  hundred  feet,  and  joined  to  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
first  or  original  building.  It  is  five  stories,  including  a 
sixteen-room  attic  devoted  to  practice  rooms  for  the  music 
conservatory.  In  all,  this  addition  has  seventy-one  rooms. 
Mrs.  Shimer  was  again  in  this,  as  in  the  previous  buildings 
erected,  the  sole  architect,  contractor,  builder  and  financier. 
The  modern  improvements  introduced  in  THIS  building,  and 


MRS.  FRANCES   A.   WOOD    SHIMER. 


its  much  greater  size  than  any  of  the  three  previous  struc- 
tures, together  with  the  superior  workmanship  put  upon  it, 
made  its  cost  to  far  exceed  all  the  others.  Then  there  were 
essential  changes  and  improvements  made  in  the  other 
buildings,  especially  the  first  (original)  one.  As  the  family 
increased,  the  dining  room  was  enlarged  by  the  removal  of 
one  partition  after  another  till  now  it  occupies  the  space  of 
seven  rooms  —  the  entire  first  floor  of  the  original  building. 
Furnaces  with  the  same  system  of  ventilation  as  in  the  last 
addition  were  also  placed  in  this.  With  the  improvements 
in  buildings  and  grounds  came  added  improvements  in 
the  working  methods  of  the  school. 

THE  NORMAL  DEPARTMENT  is  a  valuable  feature  of 
the  Seminary.  The  principal,  a  graduate  of  the  New  York 
Normal  school,  knowing  full  well  the  value  of  that  system  to 
those  having  teaching  in  view,  has  given  prominence  to 
this  department.  Hundreds  of  teachers  have  gone  out  from 
this  seminary,  now  filling  prominent  positions  in  public  and 
graded  schools,  seminaries,  academies  and  colleges.  Under 
Mrs.  Shimer's.  liberal  management  of  the  seminary,  provi- 
sion was  early  made  to  give  FREE  TUITION  to  one  teacher 
from  each  township  in  Carroll  county,  and  one  from  each 
county  in  the  state.  Another  valuable  feature,  showing  the 
broad  scope  of  the  beneficent  educational  designs  of  its  pro- 
jectors, is  the  LABOR  DEPARTMENT,  affording  the  means  to 
many  of  the  most  worthy  young  women  of  securing  an 
education,  fitting  themselves  for  positions  of  usefulness.  It 
gives  opportunity  to  those  who  could  not  otherwise  enjoy 
the  advantages  of  a  seminary  to  work  their  way  —  young 
women  of  energy  and  character  earning  their  own  education. 
There  are  at  this  writing  many  in  this  department  doing  a 
large  part  of  the  domestic  labor  of  the  institution.  Thus 

14 


210  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

are  teachers  provided  and  educational  advantages  dispensed 
to  many  young  women  who  could  not  otherwise  obtain  it. 

At  the  head  of  the  domestic  departments  as  housekeeper, 
it  is  the  aim  to  have  a  LADY  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word, 
one  who  can  not  only  DO,  but  direct  and  instruct  the 
students  in  the  BEST  METHODS  of  housekeeping  in  all  its 
details.  To  this  end  the  present  most  competent  and  effi- 
cient incumbent,  Mrs.  Mary  G.  Nias,  is  laboring  with  en- 
ergy and  zeal,  and  with  most  happy  results,  as  may  be  seen 
in  the  well  ordered  house  and  the  neat  and  bountifully 
furnished  tables,  on  which  is  uniformly  found,  not  only  an 
abundance  but  a  nice  variety,  and  all  most  wholesome  and 
healthful.  In  addition  to  the  instruction  given  to  the 
young  ladies  in  the  manual  labor  department,  Mrs.  Mas 
gives  lessons  to  ALL  in  the  best  methods  of  making  and 
caring  for  a  home  and  family. 

The  Mt.  Carroll  Seminary  for  the  first  fourteen  years 
received  both  sexes,  having  as  many  young  men  in  attend- 
ance as  young  women.  As  a  "  mixed  school "  it  was  an 
eminent  suoeess.  The  young  men  here  "  fitted  for  college," 
took  a  high  rank  in  the  different  institutions  they  afterward 
entered  and  graduated  from,  doing  credit  to  the  seminary 
faculty,  which  at  that  time  was  made  up  almost  exclusively 
of  lady  teachers.  As  an  instance,  one  of  the  young  men 
fitted  here  for  college  was  admitted,  on  examination,  to  the 
senior  year  at  one  of  the  oldest  eastern  colleges,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  one  year.  His  preparation  in  mathematics 
had  been  entirely  under  the  instruction  of  lady  teachers. 

Thus  the  seminary  ever  maintained  a  high  standard  of 
instruction  and  scholarship,  having  an  extended  course  in 
studying  in  which  is  required  the  greatest  possible  thorough- 


MRS.  FRANCES  A.  WOOD  SHIMER.          211 

Young  men  were  ultimately  excluded  from  the  seminary, 
much  to  the  regret  of  all  concerned,  solely  for  the  want  of 
room  to  accommodate  all. 

While  this  institution  has  won  for  itself  an  enviable 
reputation  as  A  THOROUGHLY  PRACTICAL  school,  in  that  its 
literary  and  scientific  course  is  among  the  best,  and  that  its 
students  become  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  idea  of  having 
a  purpose  and  aim  in  life,  and  of  gaining  a  thorough  prepa- 
ration for  some  sphere  of  usefulness,  the  ornamental 
branches  have  by  no  means  been  neglected.  The  music 
and  art  departments  are  not  excelled  in  any  institution  of 
the  kind  West  or  East. 

From  a  small  beginning  (the  seminary  having  brought  to 
this  county  the  first  new  piano  ever  here),  with  three  pupils 
in  music,  the  music  department  has  become  so  large  as  to 
employ  five  to  seven  teachers  and  professors  of  music,  and 
furnished  with  nearly  forty  instruments — pianos,  organs, 
guitars,  etc.  The  success  and  popularity  of  the  conserva- 
tory of  music  is  largely  due  to  Mrs.  B.  F.  Dearborn  Hazzen, 
who  has  been  identified  with  it  for  the  past  fifteen  years, 
and  who  deservedly  ranks  among  the  very  best  in  the  pro- 
fession, her  specialty  being  voice  building.  Her  "  METHOD  " 
is  of  the  best,  her  skill  and  tact  in  understanding  the  needs 
of  different  voices  and  so  adapting  her  instruction  as  to 
safely  develop  them,  are  quite  wonderful.  Then  as  a  lady, 
an  educator,  and  one  so  closely  identified  with  the  institu- 
tion and  its  principal,  especially  through  seasons  of  great 
trial,  Mrs.  Dearborn  Hazzen  may  be  regarded  as  almost  one 
of  the  founders.  Her  husband,  Prof.  H.  W.  Hazzen,  ex- 
cels also  in  his  department,  literature.  There  is  probably 
no  better  scholar  in  literature  in  the  state,  if  in  the  West, 
and  as  a  teacher  and  lecturer  he  is  winning  a  high  standing. 


212  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Miss  Kendall,  for  ten  years  at  the  head  of  the  instrumental 
music,  ranks  with  the  best.  The  different  assistants  of  the 
conservatory  use  the  same  methods  as  the  heads  of  the  de- 
partments, and  all  are  subject  to  their  supervision  and 
direction,  thus  all  students  of  music  here  enjoy  directly  or 
indirectly  the  benefit  of  the  superior  culture  and  experience 
of  the  principal  of  the  vocal  department  and  the  director  of 
the  instrumental  department. 

The  instruments  in  use  here  are  first  class,  nearly  all 
the  pianos  being  changed  for  new  ones  during  the  last  year. 
The  graduates  of  the  conservatory  are  in  demand  for  first 
class  positions  as  teachers,  church  singers  and  organists. 

Thus  we  might  fill  pages  in  noticing,  the  different 
features  of  interest  and  the  many  advantages  this  seminary 
offers  to  the  young  women  of  the  country.  Industry  and 
economy  were  necessary  in  their  accomplishment.  These 
virtues  have  been  exercised  without  stint.  When  likely  to 
fail  by  the  men-management  invoked  to  its  aid  in  its  incep- 
tion, two  women  —  both  educators,  but  one  combining 
financial  skill,  great  head  and  iron  will,  stepped  into  the 
breach  —  put  both  soul  and  strength  into  the  work,  and 
have  brought  the  seminary  up  to  its  present  high  position, 
an  honor  not  only  to  the  state  in  which  it  has  been  built 
up,  but  to  the  national  government,  which  is  based  upon 
the  intelligence  and  virtue  of  its  citizens. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  BUILDINGS. —  Four  buildings,  as  else- 
where described,  all  so  connected  as  to  give  the  appearance 
of  one,  present  a  west  and  north  front  of  two  hundred 
and  fifty-six  feet.  The  original  building  gives  a  dining 
room  forty-two  by  forty-six  feet  on  the  first  floor.  The 
second  floor  is  used  for  library,  office,  reception  room  and 
music  room.  Third  floor  for  society  and  reading  room  and 


MRS.  FRANCES    A.  WOOD    SHIMER.  213 

private  rooms.  Fourth  floor  for  private  and  trunk  rooms. 
The  second  and  third  buildings  give,  on  the  first  floor, 
school  and  recitation  rooms,  thirty-two  by  seventy  feet,  and 
four  private  rooms.  The  second  and  third  floors  are  occu- 
pied for  private  rooms,  and  the  fourth  floor  for  studio  and 
music  practice  rooms. 

The  fourth  building,  completed  in  1877,  has  on  the 
first  floor  a  kitchen,  laundry,  dry  room,  ironing  room, 
furnace  room,  foul  air  room,  workshop,  private  room  for 
employes,  six  dry  earth  closets,  slop  closet  and  dry  earth 
vault  and  closet,  the  whole  ventilated  by  the  same  system 
as  the  entire  building,  and  thus  kept  as  perfectly  free  from 
offense  as  can  be.  The  value  of  these  arrangements  in  a 
sanitary  point  of  view  cannot  be  over-estimated.  The 
second  floor  has  conservatory,  principal's  rooms,  sick  and 
nurse  rooms,  bath  rooms,  water  and  slop  closets,  on  one 
side  of  main  hall ;  on  the  opposite  side,  the  entire  length 
of  the  building  (one  hundred  feet)  is  devoted  to  parlors 
and  rooms  for  the  musical  conservatory,  the  space  being 
divided  into  five  rooms,  each  communicating  by  folding 
doors,  making  a  most  spacious  music  hall,  when  thrown 
into  one  room. 

The  third  and  fourth  floors  are  devoted  to  private  rooms 
for  students,  all  of  which  are  neatly  furnished,  carpeted 
throughout  with  Brussels  and  three-ply  carpets,  bed  (all 
with  best  woven  wire  mattresses),  and  all  with  convenient 
drawers,  closets,  cupboards,  etc.  Bath  rooms,  water  and 
slop  closets  on  each  floor.  The  fifth  floor  has  fifteen  prac- 
tice rooms  for  music,  a  SUN-BATH  room,  trunk  rooms  and 
tank  rooms,  furnished  with  a  thirty-five  barrel  tank  for  hard 
or  well  water,  and  the  same  for  soft  cistern  water.  The 
water  supply  is  complete,  of  the  best,  purest  water.  The 


214  FIFTY    YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

hard  water  is  from  a  well  one  hundred  and  thirty  feet  deep, 
fifty  feet  being  in  solid  rock,  and  the  remaining  eighty  feet 
tubed  with  heavy  galvanized  iron.  There  is  no  possibility 
of  surface  water  or  any  impurities  getting  into  the  well. 
The  cistern  water  supplied  to  the  soft-water  tank  is  from 
nine  very  large  cisterns,  connected  by  pipes  at  the  bottom. 
The  two  cisterns  receiving  the  water  from  the  diiferent 
buildings  are  furnished  with  the  most  complete  niters,  built 
in  with  brick,  covered  with  charcoal,  gravel,  sand,  etc. 

Thus  the  purest  water  is  secured  for  both  tanks.  The 
water,  from  both  well  and  cisterns,  is  raised  by  pumps, 
operated  by  wind  power.  The  wind  mill,  with  a  sixteen- 
feet  wheel,  is  built  immediately  over  the  well,  and  near  the 
line  of  the  cisterns.  The  pumps  are  set  so  that  the  mill 
works  both  pumps  at  the  same  time,  thus  quickly  forcing 
an  abundant  supply  of  water  to  the  fifth  floor.  The  wind- 
mill house  is  a  neat  octagon  structure,  all  enclosed  with  sid- 
ing, painted  and  furnished  with  windows  and  blinds.  It  is 
separated  into  three  stories,  making  convenient  rooms  for 
tools,  etc.  From  the  tanks  in  the  attic,  the  water,  both 
hard  and  soft,  is  carried  to  closets  on  each  floor,  and  to  the 
basement,  where  the  soft  water  is  heated  in  two  eighty-gal- 
lon circulating  boilers,  connected  with  the  kitchen  range, 
and  by  its  own  pressure  returned  ( both  the  hot  and  cold 
soft  water)  to*  the  bath  rooms  on  each  floor,  and  to  the 
rooms  of  the  first  building  erected.  The  different  bath 
rooms  are  furnished  with  metalic  and  rubber  tubes  for 
plunge  baths,  wood  and  tin  tubes  for  sitz  baths,  Brown's 
steam  tub  for  electrical  vapor  baths,  and  a  complete  shower 
bath,  hot  or  cold,  as  may  be  desired. 

The  system  of  plumbing  is  complete,  no  lead  or  galvan- 
ized pipes  being  allowed  to  convey  impure  water  to  poison 


MRS.  FRANCES  A.  WOOD  SHIMER.          215 

stealthily,  but  surely,  those  using  such  water.  The  warm- 
ing, ventilation  and  sewerage  are  as  complete  and  perfect 
in  that  line  as  far  as  discovered.  The  well  water  is  also 
carried  under  ground  to  the  gardens,  supplying  fountains 
and  hydrants  for  all  needed  garden  uses.  The  warming 
and  ventilating  is  constructed  on  the  Ruttan  improved  sys- 
tem. The  furnaces  are  so  constructed  that  it  is  impossible 
to  make  the  outer  casing  red-hot,  and  consequently  the  air 
is  never  "  burned,"  thus  obviating  the  objection  urged 
against  heating  the  furnaces.  The  supply  of  pure  air  from 
outside  flues  is  abundant.  This  is  amply  warmed  by  contact 
with  outer  cases  of  furnaces,  and  from  this  goes  to  a  sheet- 
iron  reservoir,,  about  seventy  feet  long  by  five  feet  wide, 
and  two  feet  deep,  and  from  this  reservoir  supplied  to  the 
nine  stacks  of  brick  flues,  each  stack  having  seven  or  eight 
independent  flues,  each  of  which  supplies  heat  to  a  room. 
Every  flue  has  a  damper  in  the  basement,  which  system  of 
dampers,  in  connection  with  the  registers  in  each  room, 
gives  almost  perfect  control  of  the  heating  of  the  building. 
Every  room  is  furnished  with  a  thermometer,  which  the 
occupants  are  expected  to  observe,  and  when  the  tempera- 
ture is  seventy  degrees  Fahrenheit  the  register  is  to  be 
closed.  If  it  falls  to  sixty-five  degrees  with  register  open, 
the  occupant  can  report  to  the  fireman,  and  more  heat  will 
be  supplied.  Thus  a  very  nearly  equal  temperature  may, 
with  very  little  care,  be  enjoyed  at  all  times,  which  is  con- 
ducive alike  to  health  and  comfort. 

The  system  of  ventilation  deserves  special  mention. 
All  the  floors  throughout  the  building  are  hollow,  as  also 
the  main  partitions  from  attic  to  basement.  Under  every 
window  is  a  space  of  perforated  base,  which  gives  an  open- 
ing from  every  room  and  hall  to  the  hollow  under  the 


216  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

floor,  which  communicates  with  the  hollows  in  the  parti- 
tions and  is  thus  carried  down  to  the  "  foul  air  room  "  in 
the  basement,  which  opens  directly  to  a  ventilating  chim- 
ney, some  three  by  six  feet  in  capacity,  out  at  the  apex  of 
the  roof.  The  draft  of  this  great  chimney  upon  the  entire 
volume  of  air  in  the  building  naturally  tends  to  exhaust 
the  same  from  the  building.  The  ventilating  openings 
being  at.  the  base  of  the  room,  where  the  coldest  air  and 
foulest  air  tends  to  accumulate,  this  is  of  course  the  first  to 
be  drawn  off.  The  pure  air  from  the  outside,  freshly 
warmed,  is  draAvn  in  through  the  register  to  supply  the  air 
exhausted.  As  the  rooms  warm,  which  they  do  very 
rapidly,  and  warm  air  is  drawn  off  by  this  great  chimney 
draft  and  passes  through  the  hollows  under  the  floors  and 
down  the  hollow  partitions,  the  warmth  is  given  out  to  the 
floors  and  partitions,  till  the  entire  building  is  of  an  equal 
temperature,  the  floors  and  ceilings  of  the  rooms  being 
within  a  degree  or  two  of  the  same  temperature  —  a  great 
improvement  on  the  old  plan  of  stove-heated,  un ventilated 
rooms,  where  "  the  head  is  baked  and  the  feet  frozen. " 
With  this  system  of  complete  ventilation,  capable  of  chang- 
ing the  entire  atmosphere  of  the  building  every  thirty  min- 
utes, it  is  apparent  that  there  is  no  need  of  open  windows, 
exposing  to  cold  currents,  but  on  the  contrary  the  more 
closely  the  windows  and  doors  are  kept  closed  the  more 
perfect  will  be  the  ventilation.  Hence,  every  means  are 
used  to  make  the  building  close.  The  walls  of  brick  are 
thick  and  hollow,  and  then  furred  and  lathed  to  secure 
warmth  and  dryness.  The  windows  are  all  furnished  with 
double  sash  and  outside  blinds,  all  of  which  contribute  to 
the  warmth.  This  system  of  warming  and  ventilating  can 
hardly  be  improved  upon,  and  our  "  Recollections  "  should 
be  read  carefully  in  order  to  fully  understand  it. 


MRS.  FRANCES   A.  WOOD   SHIMER.  217 

The  sewerage,  as  well  as  closet  arrangement,  should  be 
noticed,  as  the  healthfiilness  of  a  large  number  together  is 
so  directly  dependent  on  the  successful  arrangement  of 
these  details.  The  slops  from  kitchen,  laundry,  bath 
rooms  and  private  rooms  are  all  emptied  into  iron  sinks  in 
the  different  closets,  and  thence  conveyed  by  iron  pipes 
down  from  the  building  into  cement  sewer  pipes,  laid  deep 
under  ground,  and  thence  to  a  ravine  some  fifty  rods  from 
the  seminary.  The  waste- water  pipes  are  all  abundantly 
supplied  with  stench  traps,  and  to  make  the  whole  'more 
secure,  ventilated  by  carrying  a  tin  flue  from  the  upper  end 
of  the  wasfe  pipe  out  by  'the  chimney  to  the  top  of  the 
building.  Thus  there  is  no  offense,  no  poisoning  the  air 
or  earth,  to  be  conveyed  into  the  water  at  some  remote  time 
to  cause  sickness  and  epidemics. 

With  such  complete  sanitary  arrangements  Mt.  Carroll 
Seminary  will  continue  to  enjoy  the  immunity  from  sick- 
ness that  it  is  already  noted  for.  An  elevator  conveys  all 
baggage  from  basement  to  any  floor  required.  Clothes  flues 
and  dirt  flues  convey  all  clothes  to  the  laundry  and  all  dirt 
to  the  dirt  closet  in  the  basement.  With  the  added  con- 
veniences of  water  and  slop  closets  on  every  floor,  very 
much  of  the  running  up  and  down  stairs  is  avoided.  The 
entire  buildings  are  fitted  for  gas.  The  gas  house,  of  brick, 
is  about  eight  rods  from  the  seminary,  where  the  gas  is 
manufactured  for  lighting  (at  present  out  of  use,  a  new 
machine  soon  to  be  put  in). 

For  exercise,  in  addition  to  the  ample  grounds  and  the 
grapevine  arbor,  three  hundred  feet  long,  we  will  notice 
the  piazzas  running  the  length  and  width  of  the  first  build- 
ing and  length  end  width  of  the  last  building,  giving  five 
hundred  feet  for  promenade,  which  is  thoroughly  enjoyed 


218  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

by  the  young  ladies,  as  we  '  recollect '  to  remember  witness- 
ing their  one  hundred  yard  races  in  the  arbor,  shaded  by 
the  luxuriant  grape  vines;  all  the  more  enjoyable  when 
they  can  stop  at  convenience  and  pluck  the  juicy  clusters 
of  grapes  hanging  through  the  latticed  arbor,  the  vines 
being  in  full  fruitage  when  we  last  visited  the  classical 
shades  of  the  seminary. 

Since  that  time  improvements  have  steadily  gone  on. 
Three  greenhouses,  each  sixty  feet  long,  twenty,  twelve  and 
ten  feet  respectively  in  width,  now  ornament  the  seminary 
grounds.  Adjoining  these  is  a  two-story  cottage  with  seven 
rooms,  furnishing  convenient'  quarters  for  gardener  and 
laborers  employed  on  the  grounds  and  seminary  farm,  for 
now,  in  addition  to  the  twenty -five  acres  connected  with  the 
buildings,  there  are  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of 
farm,  pasture  and  wood  land,  all  of  which  are  made  tribu- 
tary to  the  support,  comfort  and  pleasure  of  the  seminary 
and  its  occupants.  The  vines  and  trees  of  various  fruits  on 
the  farm  and  grounds  are  now  numbered  by  thousands,  the 
products  of  which  are,  in  their  season,  furnished  to  teachers, 
students,  and  the  entire  household  as  free  as  water.  Never, 
as  yet,  have  any  been  sold,  ALL^eing  used  by  the  seminary 
household.  Thus  an  abundant  supply  of  fresh  fruits  and 
vegetables,  early  and  late,  contribute  largely  to  the  HEALTH 
as  well  as  the  enjoyment  of  the  students.  Yet  another 
valuable  improvement  is  found  in  a  refrigerator  of  the 
Birdsall  &  Baker  patent.  It  is  a  building  eighteen  by 
twenty-four  feet  on  the  ground,  and  thirty-two  feet  high, 
giving  two  stories  of  cold  storage  space,  and  sixteen  feet 
deep  of  ice  room.  The  cold  storage  space  is  partitioned 
into  eight  rooms  which  are  kept  at  an  uniform  temperature 
of  about  twenty-eight  degrees  summer  and  winter.  These 


MRS.  FRANCES   A.  WOOD   SHIMER.  219 

cold  rooms  are  devoted  to  the  storage  of  the  various  sup- 
plies of  the  house  needing  a  low  temperature,  as  fruits, 
meats,  eggs,  etc.  There  is  stored  during  May  and  June 
(the  two  best  months  in  the  year  for  making  butter),  a  sup- 
ply of  six  to  eight  thousand  pounds  of  the  best  creamery 
butter.  At  the  low  and  uniform  temperature  it  is  kept, 
no  change  takes  place,  and  the  last  jar  comes  out  as  fresh 
and  sweet  as  the  first.  Thus  all  the  supplies  for  the  tables 
can  be  kept  any  desired  length  of  time  in  a  wholesome  and 
healthful  condition.  About  three  hundred  tons  of  ice  is 
stored  in  this  refrigerator  and  an  ice-house  near  it  for  the 
uses  named.  Cows  are  kept  to  supply  milk  for  the  house- 
hold. Beef  is  grown  and  fattened  on  Iowa  lands,  which 
will  be  shipped  to  the  seminary  farm  and  slaughtered  as 
needed,  and  kept  fresh  in  the  refrigerator.  But  we  forbear 
further  details,  as  we  think  we  have  given  some  idea  of  the 
completeness  of  the  appointments  here. 

We  have  been  thus  minute  in  our  description  because 
we  think  our  readers  will  thank  us  for  this  lecture  on  archi- 
tecture, and  particularly  from  the  fact  that  the  architect  is 
a  WOMAN,  in  short,  we  most  emphatically  declare  that  the 
superstructure  and  architecture  of  Mount  Carroll  Seminary 
in  all  its  parts,  intellectually,  financially  and  architecturally, 
has  been  woman's  work,  Mrs.  Shinier  being  the  moving 
spirit,  the  superintending  power  through  which,  and  by 
which,  the  whole  has  culminated  in  a  grand  success,  from 
the  quarrying  of  the  rock  for  the  foundation  to  the  finish- 
ing stroke  of  the  painter  and  the  final  furnishing  of  the 
vast  educational  pile. 

She  has  asked  no  board  of  trustees  to  advise  with  their 
counsel  —  only  to  confound  and  distract.  Let  other  women 
be  self  reliant  and  go  and  do  likewise. 


220  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

The  completion  of  the  building  is  not  all  that  has  been 
done.  Look  at  the  pleasant  surroundings — the  grounds 
with  their  wealth  of  fruitful  trees,  shrubs  and -vines. 

Beginning  with  five  acres  of  naked  prairie,  not  a  tree  or 
shrub  upon  it,  not  even  a  fence  to  enclose  it,  she  has 
added  to  it  till  now  there  are  twenty-five  acres  enclosed 
with  hedges  and  ornamental  borders  of  evergreens  and  every 
variety  of  deciduous  trees,  planted  with  vineyards  and 
orchards,  embracing  every  variety  of  fruit  grown  in  this 
latitude;  flower  gardens  laid  out  and  planted,  walks,  play- 
grounds and  game  grounds  provided  for,  macadamized  and 
graveled  drives  laid,  arbors  and  shady  seats,  fountains  set 
in  their  midst,  all  projected,  material  procured,  and  work 
done  under  the  immediate  supervision  of  the  same  woman. 
Her  own  landscape  gardener,  orchardist  and  planter,  every 
tree  and  shrub  and  plant  passed  through  her  hands,  placing 
nearly  every  root  in  the  ground  herself,  with,  in  most  cases, 
inexperienced  boys  to  do  the  digging,  whom  she  was  edu- 
cating for  higher  work.  During  these  years  of  laying  out 
grounds,  and  planting  hedges  and  trees,  being  at  all  times 
financier,  book-keeper,  secretary,  treasurer,  steward  and 
general  overseer,  this  same  woman  carried  on  her  im- 
provements out  of  doors  through  the  day,  and  attended  to 
the  duties  of  her  other  offices  at  night,  thus,  much  of  her 
life,  taking  only  four  or  five  hours  sleep  out  of  the  twenty- 
four.  If  a  change  of  cooks  was  necessary  at  any  time 
she  filled  the  vacancy  for  weeks,  or  till  suited  with  a  new 
one.  If  the  cook  was  sick,  as  sometimes  happened,  she 
became  cook  and  nurse.  Such  was  the  experience  of  many 
of  the  early  years  of  this  enterprise. 

Say  not  that  women  are  dependent,     fevery  girl  in  the 


MRS.  FRANCES    A.  WOOD    SHIMER.  221 

country  shouldjbe  educated  to  be  self-reliant  and  capable  of 
being  self-sustaining.  Till  this  is  the  aim  of  every  school 
for  young'ladies*  our  institutions  are  sadly  deficient.  We 
have  visited^other  educational  institutions  of  the  state,  have 
taken  observations  of  their  systems,  and  will  in  the  next 
volume,  with  equal  pleasure,  give  space  to  what  we  know 
about  other  educators  and  the  institutions  they  control. 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH   M.  C.  TRACY  CUTLER, 

TEACHER,   LECTURER  AND  PHYSICIAN. 


WITH  INTRODUCTORY,  GIVING  THE  LIFE  WORK  OF  HER  HUSBAND,  JOHN  MARTIN 
TRACY,  PHILANTHROPIST,  COUNSELOR  AND  MARTYR. 

Among  the  early  emancipators  of  the  great  West  was 
John  Martin  Tracy,  born  at  Bridgewater,  Vermont,  Sep- 
tember 16,  1809.  The  family  were  of  Connecticut  stock. 
The  grandfather  of  Tracy  died  during  the  revolution  and 
his  father  emigrated  to  Vermont.  Only  a  year  or  two  be- 
fore this  his  youngest  son  was  born.  Abel  Tracy  was  a 
deacon  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  strict  in  observance  of 
church  duties,  his  house  always  open  for  the  entertainment 
of  the  traveling  ministers  of  the  church. 

The  son  received  a  religious  education.  He  was  pre- 
cocious in  his  acquirement  of  knowledge,  and  his  con- 
science became  super-sensitive  on  moral  questions. 

When  Martin  was  ten  years  old  his  father  removed  to 
Orleans  county,  New  York,  where  he  resided  for  nine  years, 
when  he  went  to  Peru,  Huron  county,  Ohio,  with  Martin 
and  two  daughters,  his  wife  having  fallen  a  victim  to  the 
insalubrious  cjimate  of  Western  New  York. 

John  Martin  Tracy  was  a  reader  on  all  subjects.  What 
books  his  limited  means  prevented  his  buying  he  borrowed 
from  his  neighbors.  f  His  retentive  memory  was  a  recepta- 
cle in  which  knowledge  was  stored  for  future  use.  He  read 
Hosea  Ballou's  liberal  views  and  Alexander  Campbell's 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.    CUTLER.  223 

profound  teachings   of  "  one  faith  and  one  baptism,"  with 
other  great  subjects  that  agitated  the  world  at  that  time. 

He  was  particularly  drawn  to  read  the  views  of  the 
great  advocates  of  emancipation,  and  after  preaching  the 
bible  doctrine  of  the  Christian  church  for  some  time  he 
broke  off  his  connection  with  them  because  the  views  of  his 
great  exemplar,  Alexander  Campbell,  tolerated  slavery. 
He  gave  up  preaching  as  his  life  work.  The  circumstances 
attending  the  severing  of  his  connection  with  the-rninistry 
of  that  church  are  these :  He  attended  an  association  of 
leading  members  of  the  church  at  Mentor,  where  a  brother- 
in-law  and  sister  of  Alexander  Campbell  resided.  Among 
those  in  attendance  was  the  venerable  father  of  Mr.  Camp- 
bell 'and  a  young  Virginian  by  the  name  of  Martin 
Slaughter.  This  young  man  had  just  made  a  profession  of 
his  faith,  been  baptised,  was  an  ardent  disciple,  and  deter- 
mined to  do  whatever  was  required  of  him.  Taking  an 
early  opportunity,  when  the  elders  were  gathered,  to  ask 
them  in  regard  to  his  duty,  he  informed  this  eminent  coun- 
cil of  the  church  that  his  father  had  at  his  death  left  as  a 
part  of  his  legacy  twenty  slaves.  These  constituted  the 
bulk  of  his  fortune.  Now,  he  desired  to  know  whether  he 
could  keep  these  human  beings  as  slaves  and  yet  be  a 
Christian,  or  ought  he  to  set  them  free. 

He  wanted  to  do  his  duty  even  at  the  cost  of  the  right 
hand  or  the  right  eye.  The  ministers  questioned  him. 
Could  he  not  be  more  useful  to  these  poor  negroes  by  keep- 
ing them,  instructing  them  in  the  doctrines  of  the  church, 
than  by  setting  them  free?  They  advised  their  young 
brother  not  to  impoverish  himself,  to  be  a  kind  master  to 
his  slaves,  to  profit  by  their  labor  and  do  good  by  its  pro- 
ceeds. 


224  FIFTY  TEAKS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Mr.  Tracy,  being  among  the  youngest  of  the  ministers, 
listened  to  these  sophistries  with  ill-concealed  indignation, 
walking  the  floor  with  flashing  eyes.  When  all  had  given 
their  counsel  he  came  to  the  front  and  addressing  the  breth- 
ren in  clear  ringing  tones,  said:  "Do  you  know  that  you 
are  counseling  this  young  brother  to  his  destruction  ?  That 
is  what  you  are  doing.  You  know  that  he  cannot  hold 
slaves  and  be  a  true  disciple  of  Christ.  You  are  counsel- 
ing as  though  he  could  serve  God  and  mammon.  If  he 
follows  your  suggestions  he  cannot  be  a  righteous  man." 
He  was  interrupted  by  the  appealing  voices  of  many  of  the 
elders :  "  Brother  Tracy,  you  are  too  extreme,  too  severe." 
Tracy  replied,  "  I  am  only  as  extreme  as  the  truth  and  as 
severe  as  justice."  The  council  soon  broke  up  without 
coming  to  any  satisfactory  conclusion. 

How  strangely  these  things  sound  to-day,  when  the 
veriest  child  understands  this  question  so  well.  What  came 
of  this  want  of  decision,  or  rather  of  a  wrong  decision  of 
this  church  council?  Martin  Slaughter  went  forth,  his 
conscience  quieted.  When  the  Kansas  troubles  broke  out 
he  was  living  on  the  borders  of  Missouri,  had  sold  some  of 
his  slaves,  bought  land  when  it  was  cheap,  raised  hemp,  sold 
it  at  a  large  profit,  bought  more  slaves,  gone  on  adding  land 
and  slaves  till  the  great  struggle  for  the  extension  of  slavery 
began.  Then  he  was  Capt.  Slaughter,  known  as  one  of  the 
most  active  border  ruffians,  leading  a  company  into  Kansas 
to  crush  out  the  free  state  men.  When  the  war  of  the  re- 
bellion was  inaugurated  he  was  a  most  determined  enemy 
of  the  government.  This  all  followed  from  the  pernicious 
counsel  given  under  sanction  of  the  church.  This  radical 
departure  of  Mr.  Tracy  "from  the  faith  of  the  fathers"  of 
the  church  made  his  pulpit  labors  less  acceptable,  and  from 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.  CUTLER.  225 

this  time  his  efforts  as  a  lecturer  were  largely  directed 
towards  forming  that  sentiment  of  justice  that  would  event- 
ually lead  to  the  overthrow  of  slavery  by  moral  suasion. 
Some  few  years  were  passed  in  this  labor  of  love,  and  with 
other  faithful  workers,  he,  on  several  occasions,  was  mobbed, 
because  he  did  not  keep  his  views  on  the  vexed  question  of 
slavery  to  himself. 

In  1837-38  he  spent  a  portion  of  his  time  in  New  York, 
there  making  the  acquaintance  of  Gerritt  Smith  and  other 
prominent  workers  and  reformers. 

Returning  to  Ohio  all  his  energies  were  bent  in  the 
direction  of  emancipation,  lecturing  on  this  subject  while 
teaching  school.  The  little  leisure  given  him  from  his 
school  labors  was  occupied  in  thoroughly  informing  him- 
self in  regard  to  the  first  principles  of  government,  to  see 
if  it  really  gave  any  sanction  to  slavery.  While  consider- 
ing this  matter  he  found  a  book,  "  The  Life  of  Granville 
Sharpe,"  one  of  the  old  anti-slavery  men  of  England.  This 
eminent  man  had  studied  law  at  an  advanced  age  to  know 
whether  the  constitution  of  England  permitted  slave-hold- 
ing, until  he  became  fully  satisfied  that  the  sentiment  of 
Cowper  was  true.  It  ran  thus :  "  Slaves  cannot  breathe 
in  England.  If  their  lungs  receive  our  air,  that  moment 
are  they  free.  They  touch  our  country  and  their  shackles 
fell." 

These  investigations  convinced  Mr.  Tracy  that  it  would 
be  of  great  moment  to  him  to  become  thoroughly  informed 
in  reference  to  the  laws  and  institutions,  as  well  as  the  more 
intimate  history  of  the  formation  of  the  government.  To 
do  this  he  must  study  law,  so  he  entered  as  a  student  with 
Joel  W.  Wilson,  a  democratic  lawyer,  at  Fitchville,  who 
was  for  some  years  a  member  of  the  Ohio  senate. 

15 


226  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

It  was  during  these  readings  and  daily  discussions  that 
his  wife  began  to  call  his  attention  to  the  limitations  of 
women  under  the  English  common  law,  which  our  courts 
retained  and  decided  by  wherever  they  were  not  set  aside 
by  actual  enactment.  Think  of  a  law  that  permitted  entire 
personal  control  on  the  part  of  the  husband,  and  left  the 
wife  in  entire  subjection  to  his  will.  Where  was  the  mercy 
of  a  law  which  permitted  a  man  to  "  bind  out"  his  children 
without  the  consent  of  the  mother,  and  permitted  him  to 
will  them  from  her  at  his  decease  ?  Again  and  again  these 
points  were  discussed,  the  wife  always  insisting  that  these 
laws  had  their  origin  in  ages  and  countries  where  women 
were- objects  of  traffic,  and  that  the  cause  of  injustice  to 
women  should  be  just  as  zealously  opposed  as  the  oppression 
of  the  slave.  At  this  point  the  author  will  blend  the  life 
and  actions  of  this  well-mated  pair  into  a  harmonious  whole 
— true  helpmates  of  one  another. 

Our  subjects  illustrate  the  power  of  industry,  study,  in- 
domitable perseverance,  resulting  in  final  success  and  the 
accomplishment  of  great  good  in  every  field  of  labor  where 
they  were  called. 

Hannah  M.  Conant  was  born  at  Becket,  Berkshire 
county,  Mass.,  and  with  only  a  rudimental  education, 
acquired  in  the  country  schools  of  that  day,  was  married  in 
1834  to  Rev.  John  Martin  Tracy,  in  Geauga  county,  Ohio. 
He  was  a  close  student,  taught  school  and  studied  law 
at  the  same  time,  and  preached  on  Sabbaths.  In  these 
studies  he  found  a  helpmeet  indeed,  his  yoirng  wife  joining 
him  in  his  studies,  and  besides  keeping  the  house  in  order, 
occasionally  taking  his  place  in  the  schoolroom  when  his 
duties  as  minister  called  him  to  preach  on  other  days  in  the 
week. 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.  CUTLER.  227 

Between  lecturing,  teaching  and  studying  law,  they 
were  called  to  reside  at  Fitchville,  Sandusky,  Oberlin,  and 
Plymouth,  Ohio.  While  residing  at  Sandusky  Mr.  Tracy 
was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  studied  in  the  office  of  F.  D. 
Parrish.  His  keen  incisive  intellect  soon  made  itself  felt, 
and  he  could  have  taken  a  high  stand  at  Sandusky,  as  he 
was  offered  a  partnership  with  his  preceptor,  then  the  lead- 
ing attorney  at  Sandusky.  But  John  M.  Tracy  had  studied 
law  only  as  a  means  to  aid  him  in  the  philanthropic  work 
to  which  he  had  determined  to  devote  his  life,  in  which 
resolve  he  .was  seconded  by  the  hearty  co-operation  of  his 
devoted  wife.  She  had  kept  pace  with  him  in  all  his  studies ; 
in  fact,  they  had  been  fellow-students*  from  the  time  of 
their  marriage,  making  rapid  advances,  whether  their 
studies  were  law,  divinity,  or  the  classics.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tracy  had,  in  the  course  of  their  varied  reading,  become 
thoroughly  imbued  with  the  principles  of  the  liberty  party. 

When  he  moved  from  Sandusky  to  Oberlin  he  and  his 
wife  entered  into  the  full  spirit  that  animated  that  com- 
munity of  emancipationists.  There  was  but  little  law  bus- 
iness at  Oberlin,  a  very  limited  amount  of  conveyancing, 
so  there  was  no  field  for  the  display  of  his  legal  abilities, 
but  there  were  anti-slavery  meetings  to  attend,  and  he  was 
called  to  lecture  at  other  places,  altogether  yielding  but 
little  recompense,  but  they  both  felt  that  they  were  just 
entering  on  their  life-work  —  fulfilling  their  mission.  They 
did  not  forget  their  studies,  that  opened  out  to  their  vision 
yet  wider  fields  of  labor.  To  aid  them  financially  they 
received  into  their  house  a  few  students  to  board.  Their 
motto  was  "  plain  living  and  high  thought,"  and  the  couple 
were  doubtless  richer  in  true  enjoyment  than  many  who 
were  rolling  in  wealth.  When  at  home  from  his  lecturing 


228  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

tours  Mr.  Tracy  read  law  to  his  wife,  and  she  was  ready  to 
listen  and  discuss  principles  while  at  the  same  time  direct- 
ing household  affairs.  Part  of  his  self-imposed  duties  were 
to  teach  the  ignorant  blacks  who  sought  the  protection  of 
the  friendly  people  of  Oberlin  in  their  flight  from  bondage. 
In  the  attic  of  the  house  they  occupied  they  gave  asylum 
to  a  poor  colored  man,  Samuel  Grey,  an  escaped  slave. 
This  man  had  been  hired  by  his  master,  a  Kentuckian,  to 
do  a  job  of  chopping.  When  the  work  was  done  some  one 
whispered  him  that  he  was  a  free  man.  This  friend  had 
also  told  him  of  Oberlin,  and  he  went  there  with  the  sub- 
lime purpose  of  obtaining  an  education  that  would  fit  him 
for  usefulness.  He  did  not  know  his  letters  when  he 
reached  Oberlin,  but  he  knew  how  to  chop,  and  the  forest 
around  the  village  invited  the  labor  of  the  axeman.  His 
services  were  in  demand,  and  after  a  hard  day's  labor  he 
sat  down  in  his  little  attic  and  by  firelight  tried  to  learn. 
When  Mr.  Tracy  found  him  he  had  already  mastered  the 
alphabet  and  was  trying  to  spell  out  a  few  words  of  the 
New  Testament. 

In  the  evenings  when  Mr.  Tracy  wanted  a  little  relax- 
ation from  reading  Maddox's  Chancery,  he  would  go  up  to- 
the  poor  man's  room  and  assist  him  in  mastering  the  diffi- 
culties of  learning  to  read  and  write,  and  his  student  made 
good  progress,  and  in  after  years  fitted  himself  for  mission- 
ary labor  in  Africa,  where  he  fell  a  victim  to  his  severe 
labors  and  to  the  unhealthy  climate. 

The  work  done  for  such  as  Samuel  Grey  was  not  done 
without  self  denial.  It  was  a  severe  test  of  self  abnegation, 
of  Christian  humility,  to  sit  down  by  this  unwashed  frred- 
man  and  teach  him  his  first  lesson.  The  following  autumn 
they  left  Oberlin  and  again  engaged  in  teaching.  During 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.  CUTLER.  229 


the  years  of  wedded  life  of  this  well  mated  pair  they  had 
been  blessed  with  additions  to  their  household  of  two 
daughters.  The  eldest  daughter  was  now  near  six  years 
old. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tracy  engaged  in  teaching,  Mrs. 
Conant,  Mrs.  Tracy's  mother,  keeping  the  youngest  child, 
the  eldest  going  to  school  to  be  taught  by  her  mother. 
She  taught  t'ie  district  school  five  days  in  the  week,  spend- 
ing Saturday  and  Sunday  with  her  parents.  Mr.  Tracy 
taught  in  an  adjoining  town,  performing  missionary  labor 
among  the  people  to  prepare  them  to  work  for  emancipa- 
tion. When  the  winter  term  of  each  school  expired  they 
found  an  opening  in  the  village  of  Plymouth,  Huron  county, 
where  he  felt  that  his  services  might  be  required  in  defend- 
ing free  men  of  color  who  were  sometimes  arrested  as 
slaves. 

Some  time  previous  to  this  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  of 
Ohio  was  enacted,  so  graphically  depicted  by  Mrs.  Stowe 
in  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin  in  the  escape  of  Eliza.  This  law, 
from  which  the  national  fugitive  law  was  patterned,  made 
it  a  crime  punishable  by  fine  and  imprisonment  to  give  shel- 
ter or  aid  to  a  fugitive  slave.  To  protect  the  oppressed 
when  arrested,  and  to  shield  those  who  set  this  inhuman 
law  at  defiance,  was  now  the  mission  of  these  devoted  phil- 
anthropists. Most  of  the  people  in  the  village  and  sur- 
rounding country  were  at  this  time  pro-slavery  in  their 
politics,  so  that  few  sympathised  with  Mr.  Tracy  in  his 
labors  of  love.  However,  a  fair  amount  of  legal  business 
came  to  him,  and  his  prospects  were  brightening.  In  the 
village  was  a  Mr.  Ely,  noted  for  his  enterprise  in  keeping 
one  of  the  stations  of  the  '*  Underground  Railroad."  His 
teams  and  himself  were  always  at  the  service  of  the 


230  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

oppressed  to  forward  them  to  the  land  of  freedom  —  Canada. 
One  day  near  the  middle  of  August  Mr.  Tracy  received 
a  call  from  a  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Bly  with  a  message  from 
that  gentleman.  He  informed  Mr.  Tracy  that  Mr.  Bly  was 
sick,  that  there  was  three  fugitives  awaiting  the  cover  of 
night,  and  wished  him  to  forward  them  on  to  the  next  station. 
Mr.  Tracy  returned  to  his  home,  told  his  wife,  remark- 
ing, "  I  will  do  as  I  would  be  done  by  if  I  were  fleeing 
from  such  a  bondage.  "  At  sundown  he  procured  a  horse 
and  went  to  Mr.  Ely's.  Soon  as  it  was  dark  he  started 
out  with  the  slaves.  About  half  past  three  in  the  morning 
he  returned  so  much  exhausted  that  his  wife  was  alarmed. 
"  What  is  the  matter?"  she  asked.  He  replied : 

"I  have  just  escaped  with  my  life.  I  have  been  pur- 
sued by  a  mob  headed  by  a  slave  hunter.  I  heard  their 
shout  and  told  the  colored  men  to  save  themselves  by  flight. 
I  had  told  them  on  the  way  how  to  find  the  next  station. 
They  sprang  over  the  fence  into  a  meadow  and  made  for 
the  woods  that  lay  back  of  it,  while  I  turned  down  a  lane 
hoping  to  escape  my  pursuers.  I  went  into  a  cabin  that 
stood  at  the  end  of  the  lane  and  inquired  in  regard  to  the 
roads.  Presently  the  mob  came  on  and  surrounded  the 
house.  Some  came  in  demanding  the  slaves.  The  occu- 
pants of  the  house  denied  any  knowledge  of  them,  the  mob 
insisting  that  they  were  with  Tracy  and  must  be  hidden 
there.  The  man  became  angry  and  finally  ordered  all  out 
of  the  house.  There  1  was  alone  with  twelve  brutal  men, 
one  of  them  armed  with  pistol  and  bowie-knife,  threatening 
my  life  unless  I  told  him  where  the  slaves  were  concealed. 
I  told  him  they  were  gone,  they  were  fleeing  for  liberty  and 
would  not  be  taken.  The  men,  most  all  of  them,  I  knew 
were  under  the  influence  of  liquor,  in  a  condition  of  mind 
to  be  very  unreasonable.  They  surrounded  me,  throwing 
dust  and  sand  over  me.  I  was  nearly 'suffocated.  Then 
they  insisted  I  should  go  and  show  them  the  direction  the 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.  CUTLER.  231 

slaves  had  taken.  They  proposed  sending  two  who  were 
less  drunk  and  brutal  than  the  rest,  and  I  consented  to  go, 
trusting  I  could  escape  from  them  and  get  home  by  another 
road.  I  went  with  them  through  the  thick,  tall  grass, 
drenched  with  dew  till  I  could  scarcely  stand.  Then  the 
men  said  we  had  best  return  and  they  would  assure  the 
slaveholder  that  we  had  made  all  diligent  search.  I  tried 
to  mount  my  horse,  but  they  made  such  a  tumult  that  it 
frightened  him  so  I  could  not  ride.  At  this  the  two  men 
took  me  into  the  buggy  with  them  and  we  came  back  to 
New  Haven  where  they  all  stopped,  while  I  was  permitted 
to  get  my  horse  and  ride  home." 

This  was  the  experience  of  the  early  day  abolitionists, 
those  who  were  sowing  the  seed  that  in  after  years  returned 
such  abundant  fruit.  This  experience  proved  the  martyr- 
dom of  John  Martin  Tracy 

For  a  day  or  two  he  kept  up  and  tried  to  attend  to 
business,  but  soon  took  to  his  bed,  and  August  30,  1843, 
gave  up  his  life  to  the  cause  to  which  years  before  he  had 
devoted  it.  His  last  wo"rds  to  his  stricken  wife  were  in 
answer  to  her  question  as  to  their  children  :  "  Teach  them  to 
love  the  poor,"  and  gave  direction  in  regard  to  his  funeral, 
which  was  to  be  plain  and  unpstentatious.  His  wishes 
were  observed,  the  reading  consisting  of  appropriate  pas- 
sages of  scripture  selected  for  the  occasion  by  himself  while 
living,  and  the  remains  were  attended  by  the  bereaved 
widow  and  a  few  faithful  friends  to  their  last  resting  place. 
Mrs.  Tracy  was  now  thrown  upon  her  own  knowledge  of 
business  for  providing  for  self  and  children,  but  being  utterly 
without  pecuniary  means  her  lot  must  have  been  hard  in- 
deed but  for  the  kindly  care  and  protection  of  her  parents. 
Nothing  could  exceed  their  care  and  self  denial.  The  father 
set  about  building  a  log  cabin,  as  he  had  not  yet  built  a 
frame  house  for  himself.  He  felt  that  his  daughter  should 


232  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

have  a  home  for  herself  where  she  could  use  her  own  per- 
sonal authority  and  influence  over  her  children  without  in- 
terference from  others,  flow  lovingly  he  wrought,  how 
pleased  he  was  to  hew  the  logs  and  smoothe  the  chinks 
that  the  walls  would  not  seem  unsightly.  The  cabin  was 
finished,  the  widow  and  two  fatherless  daughters  installed 
in  their  plain  but  comfortable  quarters,  when  four  months 
after  the  death  of  Mr.  Tracy  "  unto  her  a  son  was  born,  a 
child  given."  When  the  fatherless  grandson  saw  the  light 
in  that  comfortable  log  cabin,  how  fond  and  tender  was 
grandfather  Conant  in  watching  over  the  feeble  mother, 
whose  existence  for  a  long  time  seemed  to  hang  balanced 
between  life  and  death.  He  watched  with  more  than 
fatherly  care  and  fondness  over  the  sick  mother  and  helpless 
little  ones. 

The  son  was  named  after  his  martyred  father,  John 
Martin  Tracy,  and  we  will  have  occasion  to  speak  further 
of  him  before  we  close  this  chapter  of  our  "  Recollections." 

As  soon  as  the  mother's  energies  began  to  rally  came 
the  question  of  future  business  to  provide  for  self  and 
children.  She  must  manage  in  some  way  to  earn  a  com- 
petence to  pay  living  expenses  and  doctor's  bill.  But  how? 
She  could  sew,  but  in  that  new  settlement  there  was  little 
to  do.  She  had  teaching  talent,  but  could  not  then  make 
it  available,  the  home  care  of  these  three  fatherless  children 
cut  off  that  resource.  She  had  in  the  years  gone  by  written 
some  articles  for  Cassius  M.  Clay's  paper  under  a  pseudonym, 
but  she  had  no  claim  upon  the  press,  no  thought  of  making 
her  writings  remunerative.  Still  while  the  little  girls  slept 
and  she  sat  with  one  foot  on  the  rocker  of  the  cradle  in 
which  slept  her  babe,  she  sometimes  employed  herself 
writing  fugitive  articles,  sometime  poems,  sometimes  remin- 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.  CUTLER.  233 


iscences,  and  at  other  times  a  phantasy.  But  she  did  it  in 
haste  ana  resumed  her  sewing  or  knitting,  feeling  that  she 
must  not  waste  the  precious  moments. 

One  day  a  friend  called,  and  chancing  to  notice  the  well 
filled  portifolio,  he  said,  "  By  the  way,  what  are  you  doing 
with  your  writings?  I  remember  you  were  once  very  fond 
of  your  pen,"  and  immediately  he  opened  the  literary  recep- 
tacle and  taking  up  a  paper  began  to  read.  He  said, 
"  These  papers  are  of  value  and  will  be  a  sure  source  of 
help  if  you  will  use  them,  and  as  I  shall  be  passing  through 
Cleveland,  I  will  call  on  Mr.  Harris,  the  editor  of  the 
Herald.  Who  knows  what  will  come  of  it?  " 

Mrs.  Tracy  called  to  mind  that  she,  had  written  some 
anonymous  articles  for  the  Herald  in  former  years  when  he 
was  a  young  editor  of  the  country  paper.  She  selected  an 
article  or  two  and  sent  them  by  this  friend,  which  resulted 
in  a  life-long  friendship  with  the  editor  and  his  family  and 
opened  up  a  moderate  source  of  income,  which  enabled  her 
to  pay  all  the  obligations  that  had  so  heavily  weighed  on  her 
mind,  besides  giving  her  enough  for  the  necessaries  of  life, 
which  required  money  to  provide.  It  was  like  the  fountain 
which  Hagar  found  in  the  desert,  and  she  felt  sure  that  ten- 
der guardians  were  still  around  her.  The  notice  that  fol- 
lowed these  efforts  was  of  more  importance  still,  as  other 
publishers  requested  contributions,  for  which  they  were 
willing  to  pay  liberally. 

These  openings  also  prepared  the  way  for  invitations  to 
address  public  meetings  on  the  great  questions  of  the  day. 
While  residing  at  Rochester,  Loraine  county,  she  assisted  in 
organizing  the  first  women's  temperance  society.  This  was 
before  the  Martha  Washington  organization. 

At  the  same  time  and  place  she  assisted  in  the  organiza- 


234  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

tion  of  the  Women's  Anti-Slavery  Society.  At  first  there 
were  only  three  women  who  dared  avow  their  faith  in  the 
right  of  the  slave  to  freedom.  Many  advised  Mrs.  Tracy 
to  not  agitate  this  question  further,  because  it  was  unpopu- 
lar, and  through  it  her  husband  had  lost  his  life.  But  in 
spite  of  their  well-meaning  counsel  the  more  did  she  speak 
in  behalf  of  those  poor  oppressed  men,  who  had  not  the 
right  to  even  petition  for  their  freedom.  The  fruit  of  this 
discussion  of  the  subject  was  gathered  in  after  years,  the 
public  sentiment  became  so  strong  that  the  anti-slavery 
candidates  were  elected  to  the  legislature,  that  aided  the 
election  of  a  free  soil  United  States  senator  from  Ohio.  In 
later  years  these  principles  became  so  popular  in  that  town- 
ship that  on  the  election  of  Buchanan  in  1856  there  was 
only  one  vote  cast  for  him  in  the  place. 

In  the  spring  of  1848,  without  in  any  manner  seeking 
the  place,  she  was  offered  the  position  of  matron  in  the 
Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  at  Columbus.  She  had  spent  the 
previous  summer  at  Oberlin  reviewing  her  studies,  expect- 
ing to  teach,  but  this  opening  changed  all  her  plans.  She 
went  to  Columbus,  and  while  there  was  able  to  do  much  in 
a  quiet  way  towards  the  overthrow  of  the  Fugitive  Slave 
Law  of  the  state,  as  well  as  towards  the  election  of  Salmon 
P.  Chase  to  the  United  States  senate,  and  Spaulding  as 
supreme  judge.  So  quietly,  yet  so  efficiently  she  wielded 
influence,  that  few  of  those  interested  knew  that  they  were 
indebted  to  her  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  law  and 
constitutional  history  for  the  very  opinions  upon  which 
they  based  their  final  action. 

As  she  could  have  but  one  of  her  children  with  her  she 
resigned  her  position  as  matron  after  two  years7  service, 
and  accepted  the  principalship  of  the  female  department  of 


MRS.  DR.    HANNAH    M.  C.  T.  CUTLER.  235 

the  High  School  at  Columbus,  and  for  a  year  she  had  her 
children  with  her,  keeping  house,  teaching  and  studying 
the  movements  of  the  times  politically.  This,  in  connec- 
tion with  considerable  editorial  work  for  a  magazine,  so  ex- 
hausted her  energies  that  she  was  compelled  to  resign  her 
position  in  school. 

In  1851  the  great  World's  Exposition  in  London  wa& 
opened,  and  Col.  Samuel  Medary,  wishing  a  special  corres- 
pondent to  represent  his  paper,  engaged  her  services.  Few 
lady  correspondents'  were  then  sent  abroad,  but  he  trusted 
to  her  powers  of  observation  and  was  not  disappointed. 

During  the  year  'she  spent  abroad,  quite  unexpectedly,, 
and  with  almost  no  previous  preparation,  she  came  before  a 
London  audience  as  the  advocate  of  Woman's  Rights,  giv- 
ing the  first  pronounced  lecture  on  that  subject  ever  given 
in  England.  Her  knowledge  of  common  law  enabled  her 
to  bring  the  cause  clearly  and  searchingly  before  many 
enlightened  people,  as-  many  members  of  parliament,  the 
nobility,  the  great  authors  and  leading  merchants  of 
England  attended  the  lecture.  She  feared  that  her  words, 
before  such  an  audience,  would  fall  by  the  wayside ;  yet 
they  bore  fruit.  Greater  opportunities  came  to  her  by 
being  invited  to  address  colleges,  schools,  professions  and 
labor  organizations  representing  many  avocations.  She 
also  lectured  on  physiology  and  temperance  in  many  places. 
She  had  carried  with  her  credentials  as  a  delegate  to  the 
World's  Peace  Convention,  but  she  arrived  a  day  too  late 
to  participate  in  its  deliberations,  but  heard  some  of  the 
closing  proceedings. 

This  convention  gave  rise  to  the  organization  of  many 
Olive  Branch  societies,  and  she  attended  many  of  these 
meetings,  where  she  met  Joseph  Sturges  and  his  excellent 


236  FIFTY   YEARS"'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

family,  Mr.  Gladstone,  since  the  Premier' of  England,  and 
many  other  known  leaders  of  English  reform.  But  Anna 
Knight,  one  of  the  band  of  earnest  workers  in  West  India 
emancipation,  interested  her  more  than  all  others.  Miss 
Knight  had  known  Clarkson  and  Wilberforce,  and  during 
the  struggle  for  that  great  work  she  had  gone  from  house  to 
house  to  secure  signatures  to  petitions.  Her  experience 
then  had  aroused  her  to  a  keen  sense  of  woman's  subject 
condition,  and  she  had  for  some  time  endeavored  to  bear 
testimony  in  the  Society  of  Friends  on  this  subject,  but  the 
elders  had  shirked  it  and  her  friends  had  tried  to  dissuade 
her  from  her  efforts.  Her  sister  said  to  her:  "  When  thy 
views  become  popular,  Anna,  I  doubt  not  we  will  then  be 
proud  of  thy  advocacy."  With  characteristic  readiness 
Anna  replied,  "  Truth  demands  singleness  of  heart  and  eye. 
When  all  men  praise,  thy  advocacy  will  be  of  small 
moment."  But  set  aside  and  baffled  as  she  so  often  found 
herself,  some  opportunities  came  which  she  never  lost,  and 
in  season  and  out  of  season  she  urged  justice  for  women. 

When  Mrs.  Tracy  suggested  that  as  a  beginning  it 
might  be  wise  to  first  insist  on  higher  education  her  reply 
was,  "I  tell  thee,  get  the  vote.  Get  the  vote,  and  then 
thee  can  help  thyself  to  all  that  it  implies."  This  true 
friend  greatly  encouraged  Mrs.  Tracy  in  her  work,  and  the 
strong,  clear  convictions  have  often  helped  to  strengthen 
her  purposes  since. 

The  spirit  of  criticism  that  so  filled  the  minds  of  many 
of  the  anti-slavery  people  of  England  was  often  hard  to 
bear,  and  when  our  nation  disgraced  itself  by  the  passage 
of  the  Fugitive  Slave  Bill,  the  feeling  of  humiliation  was, 
indeed,  painful,  and  it  led  her  on  one  public  occason  to  tell 
the  people  the  story  of  Queen  Elizabeth  and  Sir  John 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.  CUTLER.  237 

Hawkins :  how  b/  royal  permit  he  went  to  Africa  and 
bought  slaves  and  brought  them  to  and  sold  them  in  the 
colonies,  thus  beginning  the  great  iniquity  in  the  profits  of 
which  the  crown  shared.  She  also  told  the  poor  disfran- 
chised voters,  who  stood  thrilling  with  wonder  at  such  bold 
utterances,  that  the  time  was  coming  when  the  right  of  suf- 
frage would  be  theirs,  and  by  it  they  could  say  whether 
bread  should  be  cheap  or  high  priced  for  them  and  their 
families,  and  whether  the  bread  of  knowledge  should  be  for 
them  as  well  as  for  the  rich.  Such  outspoken  utterances 
were  not  likely  to  bring  any  great  amount  of  wealth  or 
fame.  One  theatrical  manager  thought  he  saw  in  her  im- 
passioned manner  the  elements  of  a  great  actress,  and  en- 
deavored to  secure  her  to  the  stage.  This  offer  was  almost 
indignantly  refused,  feeling  that  her  life  was  dedicated  to 
higher  aims.  She  returned  to  America  just  in  time  to 
attend  the  great  Free  Soil  Convention  held  at  Pittsburg  in 
1852,  and  by  urgent  invitation  spoke  of  "  Human  Rights 
and  their  guaranties,"  showing  how  America  was  pledged 
to  stand  before  the  world  a  clear  and  consistent  Republic,  a 
light  for  all  the  nations.  On  her  return  home  she  was  mar- 
ried to  Col.  Samuel  Cutler,  a  nephew  of  Pliny  Cutler,  of 
Boston,  an  acknowledged  pillar  of  the  South  Church.  Im- 
mediately after  their  marriage  they  removed  to  Dwight, 
Illinois,  purchasing  land  near  the  recently  surveyed  route 
of  the  Chicago  and  St.  Louis  railroad,  where,  with  little 
experience  in  farm  life,  they  began  improving  a  new  prairie 
farm.  But  as  Mrs.  Cutler  had  never,  during  her  married 
life,  been  led  to  consider  money  getting  as  an  end,  only  a 
means,  she  had  stipulated  that  she  should  not  be  restricted 
from  pursuing  any  course  that  her  own  conscience  might 
approve  or  dictate.  Her  first  care  was  for  the  education 


238  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

of  their  children,  and  as  there  were  no  schools  near  she 
taught  them  herself,  insisting  on  their  being  ready  to  give 
their  evenings  entirely  to  this  object.  The  children  were 
bright  and  active,  and  they  advanced  more  rapidly  than 
most  scholars  in  regular  schools,  adding  to  their  studies  a 
weekly  or  semi-weekly  paper,  which  was  read  on  Saturday 
evening  by  the  editor.  With  no  more  than  the  ordinary 
privations  of  new  settlers  time  sped  on  with  cheerfulness 
and  some  genius  with  which  to  overcome  them. 

Mrs.  Cutler,  becoming  acquainted,  was  invited  to  lec- 
ture on  temperance  and  physiology,  and  sometimes  on  other 
topics,  and  felt  that  more  good  could  be  done  in  this  way 
than  any  other  in  establishing  a  high  moral  standard  in  the 
neighborhood  while  yet  in  the  formative  state  of  its 
society.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Kansas  troubles  her 
her  old  enthusiasm  was  enlisted  to  prevent  the  fastening  of 
the  institution  of  slavery  on  that  territory,  soon  *to  be  a 
state. 

She  had  been  invited  to  preside  over  a  Woman's  Tem- 
perance Convention  at  Chicago,  and  on  her  way  there 
met  with  a  messenger  from  Kansas  going  to  Washington 
with  dispatches.  He  was  relating  the  story  of  the  burning 
of  Lawrence,  the  murder  of  free  state  men  and  the  suffer- 
ing of  their  families.  She  listened  and  questioned.  She 
felt  that  unless  these  wrongs  were  redressed  the  nation  was 
virtually  a  ruin. 

The  temperance  convention  was  a  success,  but  during 
the  deliberations  Mrs.  Cutler  was  thinking  and  planning 
for  the  preservation  of  Kansas  as  a  free  state.  She  feared 
that  the  men  of  the  North  were  not  sufficiently  awake  to 
the  imminence  of  the  crisis,  and  she  accordingly,  after 
counseling  with  some  few  earnest  women,  engaged  Metro- 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.  CUTLER.  239 

politan  Hall  for  a  Woman's  Kansas  Aid  Convention  two 
weeks  from  that  time.  During  this  time  all  the  papers  in 
Chicago  gave  the  meeting  a  wide  notice,  some  ridiculing, 
some  approving  the  same. 

The  convention  was  held,  committees  appointed,  and 
Mrs.  Frances  D.  Gage,  Mrs.  Josephine  Griffing,  Mrs.  Cut- 
ler and  others  were  enlisted  in  the  work  of  gathering  sup- 
plies and  forwarding  them  to  the  needy  sufferers  in  Kansas. 

Two  weeks  later  a  National  Kansas  Aid  Convention 
was  held  at  Buffalo,  and  an  organization  effected  headed  by 
Gerritt  Smith,  Thurlow  Weed  and  other  men  of  national 
fame.  Mr.  Arny,  late  governor  of  New  Mexico,  was  the 
receiving  agent  stationed  at  Chicago,  and  the  Women's 
Society  was  soon  consolidated  with  "the  National  Aid 
Society.  Generous  contributions  were  secured,  by  these 
efforts  for  the  present  relief  of  Kansas,  pending  the  action 
of  the  government,  and  it  may  have  been  that  this  action 
was  indeed  the  pivot  of,  and  in  the  end  made  possible,  the 
salvation  of  the  nation  as  a  republic. 

During  the  progress  of  these  great  national  events  Mrs. 
Cutler  saw  more  and  more  clearly  the  importance  of  secur- 
ing political  rights  to  woman,  as  only  by  this  could  they 
possess  the  moral  influence  so  essential  to  the  integrity  of 
the  nation  by  securing  right  and  wholesome  laws  affecting 
temperance  and  kindred  reforms.  With  the  aid  and 
co-operation  of  Mrs.  F.  D.  Gage  she  canvassed  the  state, 
obtaining  petitions  for  changes  in  the  law  giving  to  women 
personal  and  property  rights,  and  by  these  efforts  some 
important  changes  were  effected.  She  also  aided  in  similar 
movements  in  the  states  of  Ohio  and  New  York,  attended 
many  conventions,  went  home  and  worked  faithfully  to 
pick  up  all  the  dropped  stitches,  set  the  machinery  in 


240  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

order,  and  then  for  a  brief  time  engaged  again  in  this  work 
and  the  temperance  efforts  which  the  times  demanded. 

By  pen  and  speech  she  contributed  to  the  success  at  the 
polls,  in  1858  and  1860,  of  the  great  party  that  she  deemed 
most  loyal  to  the  old  flag  and  to  the  Union.  She  attended 
the  session  of  the  Illinois  legislature  of  1861,  held  frequent 
consultations  with  Mr.  Lincoln  previous  to  his  departure 
for  Washington,  was  at  the  depot  to  wish  him  God-speed 
and  a  safe  journey,  and  heard  the  last  farewell  address  of 
Mr.  Lincoln  to  his  fellow-citizens  from  the  rear  platform  of 
the  ear  before  entering  to  take  his  departure.  She  went 
from  thence  to  her  home,  watching  with  eager  interest  the 
movements  at  the  national  capital  and  the  secession  move- 
ments at  the  South.  When  at  last  the  blow  was  struck  at 
the  old  flag  she  felt  that  all  must  now  be  consecrated  to 
save  the  nation's  life. 

Her  young  son,  whose  birth  was  noted  a  short  time 
after  his  father's  death,  now  a  youth  of  near  eighteen  years 
of  age,  was  at  the  North  Western  University  making  rapid 
progress  in  his  studies. 

The  students  had  many  of  them  responded  to  the  first 
call  of  the  president  for  troops.  The  boy  wrote  to  his 
mother  asking  permission  to  enlist  in  the  Nineteenth  Illi- 
nois Volunteer  Infantry,  Col.  Turchin's  regiment,  and 
quoting  from  Schiller,  '*  He  has  not  died  young  who  has 
lived  long  enough  to  die  for  his  country."  Her  answer  was 
worthy  a  Roman  matron  or  one  of  the  revolutionary 
mothers :  "  I  have  nothing  too  sacred  for  God  and  my  coun- 
try ;  I  consent,  you  may  go,"  and  John  Martin  Tracy,  a 
worthy  son  of  a  martyr  father,  enlisted  for  the  war.  Col. 
Cutler's  sons  also  soon  enlisted,  showing  that  every  one  in 
the  family  fit  for  military  duty  was  off  for  the  war.  Col. 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.    CUTLER.  241 

Cutler  was  in  feeble  health,  age  beginning  to  tell  on  his 
system. 

Mrs.  Conant,  the  aged  mother,  now  a  widow,  was  with 
them,  and  when  the  sore  need  came,  often  took  care  of  the 
house  while  Mrs.  Cutler  went  out  to  other  places  to  raise 
sanitary  supplies  for  the  state  hospital  at  Springfield. 

Finding  much  to  do  in  connection  with  the  Freedman's 
Aid  movement,  she  learned  that  there  was  a  large  number 
of  refugees  coming  to  Chicago  for  whom  there  had  been  no 
provision  made.  This  led  to  the  formation  of  the  Western 
Union  Aid  Commission,  of  which  she  was  president/ and 
Mrs.  Mary  Cobb,  secretary,  their  operations  extending  to 
the  close  of  the  war.  This  commission  became  auxiliary 
to  the  eastern  society  under  the  presidency  of  General  O. 
O.  Howard,  and  did  much  for  the  relief  of  the  refugees, 
both  white  and  black,  who  came  north  after  Gen.  Sherman's 
order  on  leaving  Atlanta. 

To  show  how  impersonal  was  her  zeal  for  the  cause  of 
freedom,  let  it  be  here  stated  that  many  thousand  dollars 
worth  of  supplies  were  sent  to  the  Southwest,  which  were 
equally  distributed  among  unionists  and  rebels.  While 
prosecuting  this  work  she  met  Rev.  Dr.  Eddy,  then  of  the 
Baptist  church  at  Bloomington,  111.  He  related  an  inter- 
view with  Mr.  Lincoln  and  several  of  the  old  anti-slavery 
men.  Mr.  Lincoln  said,  u  What  are  you  old  abolitionists 
doing,  I  expected  you  to  be  punching  me  up  with  petitions 
for  immediate  emancipation,  but  I  get  not  even  a  protest/' 

"  Mr.  President/'  said  the  spokesman,  "  We  have  feared 
to  embarrass  you  with  our  importunities,  feeling  that  you 
best  knew  the  situation  of  matters." 

"  Hurry  me  up;  hurry  me  up,  I  want  to  say  that  I 
am  unable  to  resist  the  pressure.  Now,  if  there  was  an 

16 


242  FIFTY    YEARS7  RECOLLECTIONS. 

IMMENSE  PETITION  presented  to  Congress  asking  for  eman- 
cipation as  a  WAR  MEASURE,  I  would  see  that  it  was  made 
a  principal  plank  in  the  Baltimore  platform  —  but  a  little 
petition  would  damn  the  whole  thing." 

The  report  of  this  conversation  caused  Mrs.  Cutler  to  go 
to  work  in  the  west,  and  Mrs.  Lucy  Stone,  Miss  Anthony, 
Mrs.  Stanton  and  others  in  the  east,  and  with  zealous  aid 
from  patriotic  men  and  women  in  all  the  loyal  states  they 
obtained  the  desired  petitions,  which  Chas.  Sumner  presented 
to  the  senate.  Mrs.  Cutler  had  gone  to  Washington  on 
this  and  some  other  business,  and  met  with  the  great  Massa- 
chusetts statesman  just  after  the  presentation.  With  face 
perfectly  irradiated,  he  said  to  her:  "I  have  just  pre- 
sented that  great  petition.  It  took  four  men  to  carry  it  to 
the  presiding  officer's  desk,  it  was  so  immense.  It  was 
respectfully  received  and  properly  referred.  It  is  the  great- 
est thing  yet." 

While  at  Washington  Mrs.  Cutler  met  an  old  friend, 
Ex-Go v.  Bebb,  formerly  of  Ohio  (then  of  Illinois).  He 
asked  her  to  address  the  Union  League  that  evening,  as  the 
regular  speaker  had  been  summoned  home  on  account  of 
sickness  in  his  family.  She  consented  and  spoke  before  a 
most  distinguished  audience,  taking  for  her  subject  the  pre- 
vailing catchwords  of  the  democratic  party  at  that  time, 
41  The  Union  as  it  was,  the  Constitution  as  it  is."  Taking 
up  the  history  of  the  first  Union,  a  loose  confederacy  of 
states,  she  followed  the  history  of  "  the  more  perfect  union," 
by  which  a  great  nation  had  grown  out  of  these  minor 
organizations,  still  preserving  to  the  state?  their  rights  with 
natural  limits,  but  conforming  all  to  the  great  purposes  laid 
down  in  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  which  had  been 
accepted  and  endorsed  as  the  first  national  document. 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.   CUTLER.  243 

From  this  she  showed  the  original  intent  to  establish  a 
government  based  on  such  natural  rights  as  all  theoretically 
conceded,  and  hence  the  existence  of  slavery  under  the  con- 
stitution had  been  from  the  first  in  violation  of  the  very 
objects  that  had  led  to  its  formation.  This  was  confirmed 
by  article  eighth  of  the  amendment,  which  denounced  slave 
trading  as  piracy,  and  under  which  one  man  out  of  the 
many  so  engaged  had  been  executed  —  the  slaver  Gordon. 
This  case  had  shown  that  the  courts  recognized  this  as  law. 
Slavery  was  an  old  colonial  institution  forced  upon  the  un- 
willing colonies,  and  it  was  said  that  in  Jefferson's  first 
draft  of  the  Declaration  he  had  instanced  it  as  one  of  the 
grievances  of  the  colonies.  But  individual  interest  was  at 
first  so  strong  that  the  early  statesmen  thought  but  to  grant 
time  and  opportunity  for  adjustment,  and  so  left  it  with  the 
expectation  that  after  1808  it  would  soon  expire  of  itself. 
But  like  an  old  pirate  in  the  hold  of  a  ship,  spared  because 
he  was  already  dying  of  consumption,  he  had  recovered  and 
now  sought  to  overthrow  the  crew  and  sail  the  ship  of  state 
in  the  interest  of  piracy. 

She  denied  that  our  forefathers  were  a  set  of  insincere 
•compromisers.  They  sincerely  organized  a  government  for 
the  equal  protection  of  all,  and  it  was  now  the  duty,  as  it 
was  the  opportunity,  of  their  children  to  accomplish  what 
they  had  begun.  She  cited  the  opinion  of  John  Quincy 
Adams,  that  the  president,  as  commander  in  chief  of  the 
army,  had  the  right  to  proclaim  unconditional  emancipa- 
tion when  the  public  safety  should  in  his  opinion  demand 
it.  This  is  but  a  brief  summary  of  an  address,  which  at  a 
dinner  given  on  the  following  day,  by  one  of  the  senators, 
was  discussed  by  Preston  King,  Judge  Holt  and  other 
jurists,  as  the  most  able  and  conclusive  argument  that  they 


244  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

had  ever  listened  to  upon  that  subject.  Gov.  Bebb  assured 
her  that  though  he  had  for  twenty  years  considered  himself 
a  constitutional  lawyer,  he  had  never  heard  the  question 
handled  with  such  ability.  She  was  by  no  means  moved 
by  this  commendation,  further  than  to  thankfulness  that 
the  knowledge  gained  in  earlier  years  had  not  been  buried 
in  the  grave  of  the  martyr,  but  might  yet  avail  to  direct  the 
policy  of  the  government,  so  that  it  might  accept  the  mani- 
fest destiny  of  Providence,  and  not  rush  blindly  upon  its 
destruction  by  refusing  to  make  the  nation  a  nation  of  free- 
men. While  in  Washington  in  company  with  Dorothea 
A.  Dix,  she  called  at  the  surgeon  general's  office,  and  rep- 
resented to  the  acting  official  the  importance  of  having  the 
examining  surgeon  in  the  various  states  empowered  to 
continue  sick  furloughs,  so  that  the  hopeless  invalids  should 
not  be  marked  as  deserters,  or  in  extreme  cases  to  grant 
discharges.  The  request,  or  advice,  was  acted  upon,  and 
thus  many  a  poor  soldier  was  permitted  to  remain  at 
home  till  sufficiently  recovered  to  safely  return  to  duty. 

These  things  accomplished,  she  quietly  returned  to  the 
performance  of  domestic  duty  in  her  humble  home. 

In  former  years  she  had,  among  other  studies,  given 
some  attention  to  medicine  as  well  as  law  and  divinity. 
So  in  all  the  places  she  had  resided,  more  particularly  since 
coming  to  Illinois,  she  had  been  called  to  minister  to  sick 
neighbors,  who  insisted  on  calling  her  in  preference  to  the 
regular  physicians,  so  her  life  was  full  of  activity  and  use- 
fulness. 

In  all  this  there  is  nothing  remarkable,  only  the  out- 
growth of  the  times  called  for  the  highest  activity  of  both 
body  and  mind.  Finding  at  the  close  of  the  war  that  the 
people  of  the  southwest  were  in  need  of  seed-corn,  the 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.   CUTL3R.  245 

Union  Aid  Society  set  about  raising  a  supply,  and  for- 
warded about  six  thousand  bushels  to  be  distributed  by 
faithful  agents  to  avert  the  famine  impending  if  seed  was 
not  furnished.  This  closed  the  immediate  demands  of  the 
war. 

At  the  taking  of  Fort  Wagner  one  of  Col.  Cutler's 
sons  was  killed.  This  so  shocked  and  unnerved  his  father 
(who  was  in  feeble  health,  and  gradually  declined  until 
the  spring  of  1865,  when  he  was  stricken  with  paralysis), 
that  it  was  found  inexpedient  to  remain  on  the  farm  near 
Dwight,  and  they  removed  to  Cobden,  Union  county,  Illi- 
nois. Here  his  health  was  improved,  and  Mrs.  Cutler  was 
soon  called  to  practice  medicine  by  some  of  her  old  neigh- 
bors and  friends  who  had  preceded  her  to  that  region  and 
were  building  up  the  great  horticultural  interests  that  have 
made  that  county  so  famous. 

Of  the  soldier  boy,  J.  Martin  Tracy,  these  "  Recollec- 
tions" will  record  that  he  served  his  country  well,  was 
employed  by  his  commanding  officer  as  a  confidential 
bearer  of  dispatches,  was  sent  on  secret  and  dangerous  ser- 
vice, requiring  great  discretion  and  prudence,  in  discovering 
the  enemy's  positions,  at  times  entering  their  lines  dis- 
guised in  butternut  suit  and  slouched  wool  hat,  where  he 
used  the  vernacular  of  "  we  uns,"  talking  the  broadest 
southern  dialect,  obtaining  useful  information,  folding  his 
butternut  suit  and  like  "  the  Arabs,  quietly  stealing  away." 

After  the  war  he  completed  his  studies,  made  the  tour 
of  Europe,  studied  portrait  painting,  became  an  eminent 
artist,  returned  to  the  United  States,  settling  down  by 
marrying  the  girl  of  his  choice,  organizing  a  family  "  as  the 
law  directs  "  by  regularly  increasing  the  census  report.  No 
young  man  of  the  author's  acquaintance  can  show  a  better 
record,  well  worthy  a  martyr  father  and  heroic  mother. 


246  FIFTY  TEAKS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

In  addition  to  practicing  medicine  Mrs.  Cutler  man- 
aged a  small  fruit  farm,  but  finding  her  medical  practice 
increasing  so  fast  she  gave  up  fruit  culture,  and  for  some 
time  devoted  herself  entirely  to  her  professional  duties. 
Finding  this  was  to  be  her  life  work,  she  said,  "  I  must  be 
as  thoroughly  prepared  for  it  as  men  are,"  and  went  to 
Cleveland,  attended  lectures,  read  medicine,  and  graduated 
from  the  Women's  Homoepathic  College  of  Medicine  and 
Surgery  when  past  fifty  years  of  age. 

Since  her  graduation,  with  only  occasional  vacations  of 
travel,  study,  visiting  friends,  of  which  she  has  hosts  in  all 
parts  of  the  Union  and  Europe,  she  has  devoted  herself  to 
professional  duties  with  gratifying  success.  Her  devotion 
to  the  cause  of  human  advancement  is  not  in  the  least 
abated  by  professional  success.  She  is  still  ardently 
enlisted  by  pen  and  speech  in  the  promotion  and  final  adop- 
tion of  woman  suffrage,  with  all  the  reforms  that  it  implies, 
as  in  former  years.  Her  children  are  not  among  those  who 
have  had  cause  to  complain  that  their  mother  has  forgotten 
or  neglected  their  welfare  in  her  wider  interest  in  affairs  of 
state,  but  their  education  was  provided  for,  and  as  they 
attained  man  and  woman's  estate  they  have  taken  their 
several  places  in  a  manner  which  proves  that  a  mother  can 
do  her  duty  to  her  children,  to  her  country  and  her  race, 
and  not  neglect  either.  Our  own  acquaintance  with  Mrs. 
Cutler  commenced  when  Col.  Cutler  moved  to  Illinois. 
Our  business  and  journalistic  duties  often  called  us  to 
Dwight,  as  hers  called  her  to  Chicago.  When  the  author 
purchased  and  assumed  charge  of  the  FARMER'S  ADVOCATE 
in  1860,  Mrs.  Cutler  was  enlisted  as  a  contributor,  giving 
varied  and  entertaining  letters  from  all  the  fields  of  labor 
in  which  she  was  engaged.  She  was  frequently  at  Chicago, 
and  while  there  was  a  welcome  visitor  in  our  family. 


MRS.  DR.  HANNAH    M.  C.  T.   CUTLER.  247 

She  was  also  one  of  the  valued  correspondents  of  the 
RURAL  MESSENGER  after  the  publication  of  that  paper 
commenced,  in  1868,  and  while  the  relation  of  editor,  pub- 
lisher and  contributor  existed,  we  had  the  most  ample 
opportunity  of  storing  our  mind  with  these  "  Recollections/' 
and  when  concluding  them  can  say  the  half  has  not  been 
told,  as  we  have  been  compelled  to  abbreviate,  leave  un- 
written and  only  give  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  long  and 
useful  career  of  the  subjects  of  these  chapters.  We  could 
diversify  the  relation  of  our  "  Recollections  "  by  anecdote, 
reminiscence  and  incident,  but  our  space  precludes  the  pos- 
sibility of  giving  them  place,  much  as  they  deserve  to  be 
recorded.  We  do  not  know  that  Mis.  Dr.  Cutler  would 
take  kindly  to  the  suggestion,  but  we  do  know  that  if  she 
would  "  write  a  book,"  giving  a  full  history  of  the  life  of 
her  illustrious,  devoted  and  martyred  husband,  and  her 
own  checkered  and  useful  one,  it  would  be  a  valuable  and 
interesting  contribution  to  the  literature  of  the  day. 


MRS.    BELVA   A.    JLOCKWOOD.  249 

women  take  their  places  in  every  sphere  their  qualifications 
fit  them  to  fill. 

While  at  Washington  during  the  winter  of  1878-9,  it 
was  our  good  fortune  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  this  ex- 
cellent woman,  and  it  affords  us  pleasure  to  transmit  to  our 
pages  the  impressions  and  knowledge  there  obtained  of 
woman's  capacity  for  business  in  any  field  in  which  she  can 
usefully  employ  her  talents. 

Belva  A.  Lockwood  was  born  at  Royalton,  Niagara 
county,  N.  Y.,  October  29,  1830.  Her  parents'  name  was 
Bennett,  and  she  was  the  second  of  five  children,  all  raised 
on  the  farm.  She  attended  the  district  school,  was  attentive 
and  studious,  and  as  a  matter  of  course  with  industrious 
scholars,  she  always  stood  at  the  head  of  her  class,  and  at 
twelve  years  of  age  she  had  mastered  grammer,  geography, 
arithmetic,  algebra  and  philosophy. 

She  was  contemplative,  read  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, thought  a  great  deal  of  the  miraculous  interpositions 
therein  revealed  and  wondered  if  the  same  faith  there 
taught  would  not  be  attended  with  blessing  and  happy 
results.  She  studied  nature  in  the  solitudes  of  the  forest, 
along  the  limpid  streams,  running  over  the  hills,  some- 
times jotting  down  her  thoughts  and  observations  in  her 
note  book.  She  was  always  the  leader  among  her  young 
companions,  championing  their  cause,  or  if  obstacles  were 
presented,  she  set  about  to  remove  them. 

Her  teachers  always  remembered  her  as  being  the  most 
daring  and  generous  girl  of  the  school.  Before  she  was 
fifteen  she  was  called  to  teach  in  her  own  district,  and  dis- 
charged her  duties  so  faithfully  that  her  services  were  con- 
tinued. The  remuneration  for  the  first  term  of  teaching 
was  five  dollars,  the  second  six,  the  third  seven,  and  the 


250 

fourth  eight  dollars  per  month.     She  had  now  arrived  at  the 
age  of  eighteen,  with  powers  matured  by  observation  and 
the  practical  duties  of  life  over  those  of  most   women  of 
twenty-five. 

A  thrifty  young  farmer  of  the  neighborhood  named 
Uriah  McNall,  paid  his  addresses  to  her,  and  he  being  agree- 
able to  her  arid  to  her  parents,  they  were  married.  She 
entered  immediately  on  her  household  duties,  taking  the 
whole  responsibility  upon  herself  from  the  start.  But  mis- 
fortune came.  The  active  young  husband  met  with  a  serious 
accident  while  operating  a  saw  mill,  which  enfeebled  his  sys- 
tem and  finally  resulted  in  consumption.  While  harassed 
with  the  care  of  an  invalid  husband  she  became  the  mother 
of  a  daughter,  which  increased  her  cares.  Mr.  McNall 
growing  more  feeble,  she  was  aroused  to  fears  that  he  would 
not  recover,  which  were  only  too  well  founded,  for  after 
lingering  for  two  years  he  died,  leaving  her  a  widow  before 
she  was  twenty-two. 

Most  women  under  these  circumstances  give  up  busi- 
ness ;  if  on  a  farm  they  rent  it  or  sell  it.  Not  so  with  Mrs. 
McNall.  She  entered  with  wonderful  energy  on  her  busi- 
ness, was  well  acquainted  with  all  the  details  of  trade, 
selling  and  buying  stock,  measuring  the  lumber  she  sold, 
weighing  grain,  writing  her  own  orders  or  receipts  in  a 
business  manner,  then  going  the  rounds  of  her  domestic 
duties,  making  a  dress  or  bonnet  as  well  as  any  modiste, 
cooking  meals,  and  all  the  usual  routine.  She  astonished 
all  by  the  easy  facility  with  which  she  managed  the  wildest 
young  horses,  "  breaking  "  them  into  harness  or  mounting 
them  on  saddle  and  riding  fearlessly.  She  was  full  of 
energy,  but  after  one  year's  management  of  the  farm  she 
sold  off  her  stock,  farm  tools  and  utensils,  and  determined 


MRS.    BELVA    A.    LOCKWOOD.  251 

to  complete  her  education.  She  entered  the  academy  at 
Gosport,  studied  geometry,  German,  anatomy,  physiology,, 
bookkeeping  and  other  studies,  kept  her  own  house,  board- 
ing five  other  persons,  all  students,  at  the  same  time. 

When  these  studies  were  mastered  she  received  a  press- 
ing invitation  to  teach  from  her  old  neighbors,  they  offering 
her  twelve  dollars  per  mouth  and  board  for  herself  and 
child.  The  little  girl  was  a  great  favorite,  going  to  school 
with  her  mother  every  day.  Mrs.  McNall  taught  two  years. 
Then  she  determined  on  a  course  at  college,  and  entered 
Genesee  Wesleyan  College  at  Lima,  New  York,  thus  putting 
in  force  the  dream  of  her  childhood  — -  a  thorough  education. 

She  was  now  in  her  proper  element,  and  vividly  did  she 
recall  her  girlhood  school  days,  when  she  had  had  a  longing 
to  pursue  an  academic  or  collegiate  course,  and  her  father 
had  said  to  her  in  answer  to  her  repeated  requests  concern- 
ing the  same,  "  Girls  should  attend  to  household  duties  and 
get  married ;  only  boys  should  go  to  college." 

She  now  had  the  means  to  continue  her  studies.  She 
diversified  her  toil  up  the  hill  of  science  by  writing  for  the 
village  papers  and  Moore's  Rural  New  Yorker,  the  popular 
exponent  of  the  agricultural  classes  in  the  East. 

When  teaching  her  first  terms  of  school,  from  fifteen  to 
eighteen,  she  had  contributed  both  prose  and  poetry  to  the 
Western  Literary  Messenger,  Boston  Olive  Branch,  Ladies9 
Repository,  and  other  papers,  only  in  a  few  instances  signing 
her  name. 

In  her  young  days  of  "  sweet  sixteen,"  she  had  read 
essays  at  school  exhibitions,  and  on  one  occasion  Judge 
Baker,  after  listening  to  her  at  Middleport,  said,  "  That 
effort  is  worthy  of  a  man."  The  young  girl  orator  did  not 
then  see  the  force  of  the  compliment.  She  had  always  been 


252  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

far  ahead  of  all  the  young  men  in  her  classes  and  had  yet  to 
learn  its  full  import.  But  let  us  return  to  her  college  life. 
She  was  now  becoming  widely  known  as  an  author,  and 
while  at  Lima  she  was  elected  president  of  the  Women's 
Literary  Society,  one  of  the  college  institutions. 

She  was  also  invited  to  prepare  a  history  of  Christian 
Missions,  which  was  read  in  the  college  chapel  to  a  crowded 
house.  Absorbed  as  she  was  in  her  studies,  she  yet  found 
time  to  teach  a  bible  class  and  to  visit  sick  companions  and 
minister  to  them. 

As  the  college  commencement  approached  she  prepared 
to  present  herself  for  her  degrees.  The  Wesleyan  was  the 
second  college  that  had  admitted  women  to  its  sacred  pre- 
cincts, and  many  earnest  thinkers  were  not  yet  prepared  to 
believe  that  woman  was  capable  of  comprehending  all  that 
man  could  master. 

The  faculty,  on  her  examination,  were  surprised  at  her 
accomplishments,  for  instead  of  being  placed  in  the  sopho- 
more class,  to  her  surprise  and  gratification  she  was  placed 
in  the  list  of  juniors.  This  so  encouraged  her  that  she  de- 
nied herself  to  all  society,  and  in  due  course  entered  the  sen- 
ior class,  and  graduated  with  honor  June  27,  1857. 

Scarcely  had  she  left  college  when,  without  her  knowl- 
edge, she  was  elected  preceptress  of  Lockport  Union  School, 
in  which  position  she  remained  for  four  years,  educating 
her  sister  and  daughter  at  the  same  time. 

In  this  school  the  same  energy,  unflagging  industry, 
executive  ability  and  commanding  talent  characterized  her, 
and  she  filled  the  position  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the 
official  board,  the  patrons  and  students.  She  was,  at  the 
same  time  foremost  in  prompt  and  efficient  work  in  the 
missions  and  Sunday  schools  and  benevolent  socities,  keep- 


MRS.    BELVA    A.    LOCKWOOD.  253 

ing  up  a  "  ragged    school "  at  her  own    expense   all   these 
years. 

At  the  time  of  the  Kansas  troubles  she  was  president  of 
a  relief  society,  and  spent  much  time  and  money  in  the 
cause.  She  resigned  her  position  at  Lockport  and  accepted 
one  as  preceptress  in  the  Gainsville  Seminary,  but  after  one 
year's  service  the  edifice  burned,  and  she  built  up  a  school 
at  Hornellsville,  Steuben  county,  New  York. 

After  this  she  purchased  the  seminary  building  at 
Oswego,  New  York,  and  sustained  a  flourishing  school  for 
young  -ladies,  and  some  time  after  sold  the  institution  for 
twice  as  much  as  it  cost  her,  and  placed  her  daughter  at  the 
Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary,  where  she -had  herself  taught 
eleven  years  before. 

These  were  the  years  of  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  and 
Mrs.  McNall  had  during  the  whole  time  been  president  of 
the  Aid  Society  that  equipped  for  service  the  Twenty- 
Eighth  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers,  and  throughout 
the  war  her  sympathies  were  ever  with  the  armies  of  the 
Union. 

After  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  in  1865 
Mrs.  McNall  closed  up  her  business  in  New  York,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1866  went  to  Washington,  remaining  several 
months,  visiting  every  place  of  interest  in  and  about  Wash- 
ington, Georgetown  and  the  surrounding  suburbs,  taking  a 
trip  down  the  Potomac,  stopping  at  all  the  principal  places. 

She  then  visited  Richmond,  finally  sailing  to  New  York, 
going  from  there  to  Chicago,  returning  through  Ohio,  stop- 
ping at  Harper's  Ferry.  Her  sister  accompanied  her  on  her 
western  trip  and  to  Washington.  In  1867  she  hired  Union 
League  Hall  and  commenced  a  select  school.  She  rented 
three  halls,  using  one  for  school  purposes,  and  rented  the 


254  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

others  to  temperance,  religious  and  political  organizations. 
Mrs.  McNall  had  always  been  a  student,  and  whatever 
she  was  engaged  in,  she  always  found  time  to  study  instead 
of  reading  romances,  and  it  is  wonderful  how  much  she 
accomplished.  At  this  time  she  studied  and  mastered 
International  Law,  studied  Spanish  and  read  several  German 
works. 

She  was  now  proficient  in  history,  astronomy,  botany, 
zoology,  mineralogy,  physiology,  algebra,  trigonometry, 
surveying,  differentia,  integral  calculation,  mechanics, 
acoustics,  optics,  mathematics,  astronomy,  rhetoric,  logic, 
evidences  of  Christianity,  political  economy,  mental  philos- 
ophy, moral  philosophy,  Kame's  elements  of  criticism, 
Butler's  analogy,  Latin,  French  and  German. 

After  her  school  was  opened  and  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion, her  daughter  Lura  came  to  Washington,  having  com- 
pleted her  education.  She  immediately  entered  the  school 
and  took  charge  of  the  French  and  Latin  classes 

On  March  11,  1868,  Mrs.  McNall  married  Dr. 
Ezekial  Lockwood,  and  this,  like  her  first  marriage,  was  a 
happy  one.  One  daughter  was  born  of  this  marriage  in 
1869,  a  bright  but  fragile  flower  that  drooped  and  died 
in  July  1871. 

So  absorbed  was  Mrs.  Lockwood  in  her  labors  of  use- 
fulness and  charity  that  she  neglected  to  a  great  degree 
the  calls  of  society  and  ceremony.  Time  seemed  too  short 
to  be  frittered  away  in  follies  that  narrow  the  mind,  and 
she  could  not  lead  that  aimless  life. 

She  was,  with  other  benevolent  women,  engaged  in 
reformatory  work.  The  temperance  cause  received  atten- 
tion, and  through  her  efforts  seven  hundred  names  were 
obtained  favorable  to  restrictive  legislation. 


MRS.    BELVA    A.    LOCKWOOD.  255 

The  women  in  the  government  department  were  paid 
much  less  than  men  for  the  same  work  performed,  and 
seeing  that  a  special  effort  to  right  this  wrong  was  needed, 
she  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  workers  in  securing 
signers  to  a  petition  to  secure  equal  pay. 

To  Mrs.  Lockwood,  more  than  any  other  person,  is  due 
the  success  of  the  Universal  Franchise  Association  which 
awakened  so  much  thought  *on  the  subject  of  justice  to 
women.  The  course  of  lectures  favorable  to  that  great 
object  was  managed  almost  entirely  by  her.  The  "•  moral 
and  constitutional  argument"  for  the  enfranchisement  of 
women  that  was  presented  to  Congress  with  the  Territorial 
Bill,  was  written  entirely  by  her,  and  is  considered  the  best 
that  has  ever  been  presented  to  that  body. 

In  .  1870  she  commenced  the  study  of  law,  having 
received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  the  University  of  Syra- 
cuse, New  York. 

She  studied  law  at  the  National  University  at  Wash- 
ington, after  being  refused  admission  to  the  law  school  of 
Columbian  College.  Fifteen  women  were  admitted,  but 
only  two,  Belva  A.  Lockwood  and  Lydia  S.  Hall,  com- 
pleted the  course. 

The  ensuing  summer  Mrs.  Lockwood  made  a  tour  of 
the  southern  states,  contributing,  on  the  prevailing  ques- 
tions of  the  day,  to  the  Golden  Age.  Her  articles  were 
largely  devoted  to  dispelling  the  prejudices  that  still  existed 
against  northern  people  and  convincing  them  that  northern 
capital,  directed  by  skilled  labor  and  Yankee  ingenuity, 
was  what  was  needed  to  build  up  the  waste  places  of  the 
south ;  a  course  since  adopted  by  them  and  followed  by 
results  promised  in  her  communications. 

The  faculty  of  the  National  University,  where  she  had 


256  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

studied,  in  the  last  quarter  of  the  term  denied  these  ladies 
the  privilege  of  attending  lectures,  and  finally  refused  to 
award  them  their  justly  earned  diplomas — a  piece  of 
stupidity  and  injustice  they  had  occasion  to  regret  in  after 
years. 

This  injustice  Mrs.  Lockwood  brought  to  the  attention 
of  President  Grant,  then  ex-officio  president  of  the  National 
University  Law  School,  in  a  letter  remarkable  alike  for  its 
pungency,  brevity  and  bravery : 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Sept.  3,  1873. 
To  the  President : 

DEAR  SIR  —  You  are  ostensibly  president  of  the  Na- 
tional University  Law  School  of  this  District.  If  you  are 
its  president  I  desire  to  say  that  I  have  passed  through  the 
curriculum  of  study  of  this  school  and  am  entitled  to  and 
demand  my  diploma.  If  you  are  not  its  president  then  I 
demand  that  you  take  your  name  from  its  papers  and  cease 
to  be  what  you  are  not.  Yours  respectfully, 

BELVA  A.  LOCKWOOD. 

On  the  following  week,  on  Sept.  23,  1873,  she  was 
rewarded  by  receiving  her  diploma,  and  on  motion  of  W. 
B.  Wedgewood,  made  to  the  district  court,  she  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  She  immediately  began  active  prac- 
tice, and  for  five  years  was  recognized  by  the  courts  of  the 
District  of  Columbia  as  a  leading  and  successful  prac- 
titioner. 

In  1878  she  was  called  upon  to  defend  a  client  before 
the  circuit  court  of  Prince  George  county,  Maryland,  pre- 
sided over  by  a  Judge  Magruder,  whose  extreme  conserva- 
tism marked  him  as  a  rare  old  relic  of  prejudice  of  the 
by-gone  days — since  designated  by  the  bar  "Past  Century 
Magruder,"  an  apt  designation  that  our  own  talented 


MRS.    BELVA    A.    LOCKWOOD.  257 

stateswoman,  Mrs.  Myra  Bradwell,  of  the  Chicago  Legal 
News,  has  the  honor  of  prefixing  to  this  specimen — pre- 
historic judge.  Mrs.  Lockwood  presented  her  brief  and 
asked  for  permission  to  practice  before  that  court,  which 
the  learned  judge  would  not  permit  to  be  read,  except 
through  counsel.  This  profound  jurist,  in  giving  his 
opinion  on  which  he  based  her  rejection,  gave  a  medley  of 
natural,  physiological,  astronomical  and  scriptural  knowl- 
edge, too  profound  for  comprehension.  We  give  it  below : 

"  There  are  certain  immutable  laws  of  nature  which 
cannot  be  controverted.  The  waters  of  the  earth  have 
their  bounds,  and  the  eternal  rocks  are  immovable. 
Woman  was  made  after  man,  out  of  a  rib  from  his  side. 
She  was  intended  as  a  help-meet  for  him;  her  physical 
formation  is  sufficient  argument  against  her  appearing  in 
public.  The  woman  is  the  weaker  sex,  home  is  her  appro- 
priate sphere ;  she  should  not  seek  to  go  beyond  her  fire- 
side. Woman  was  a  star  in  her  orbit.  One  star  differed 
from  another ;  there  was  one  glory  of  the  stars,  one  glory 
of  the  sun.  The  true  mission  of  woman  is  to  nurse  the 
sick,  administer  consolation  to  the  afflicted."  The  judge 
closed  with  a  prayer  that  the  day  would  never  come  when 
women  would  be  admitted  to  practice  in  Maryland.  This 
was  erudition  and  legal  wisdom  that  the  good  citizens  of 
that  judicial  district  in  Maryland  .could  not  see  the  force 
of,  and  at  the  next  judicial  election  Judge  Magruder  was 
relegated  to  private  life,  and  Mrs.  Lockwood  is  now  a 
recognized  practitioner  before  that  court. 

Since  then  Mrs.  Lockwood  has  been  called  to  conduct 
important  law  cases  in  the  federal  court  of  the  western  dis- 
trict of  Texas,  and  also  of  the  federal  court,  Baltimore,  Md., 
involving  some  &50,000. 

17 


258  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Mrs.  Lockwood  was  denied  recognition  at  the  bar  of  the 
supreme  court,  and  determined  to  scale  the  last  round  in  the 
ladder  of  success  and  secure  recognition  at  that  bar.  She 
prepared  a  bill  providing  for  the  admission  of  women  to 
practice  before  that  court.  It  was  presented  to  the  house 
by  Hon.  J.  M.  Glover,  of  Missouri,  and  was  referred  to  the 
committee  on  judiciary.  The  committee,  through  their 
chairman,  Hon.  Proctor  Knott,  invited  her  to  appear  at 
their  meeting  when  they  were  discussing  and  considering 
the  bill.  She  appeared  and  mlade  one  of  the  most  memora- 
ble and  convincing  arguments  on  the  justness  of  the  meas- 
ure, which  is  now  passed  into  history.  Bluff  Ben  Butler 
arrived  just  as  she  was  concluding  her  address,  and  when 
she  was  through  he  arose  and  characteristically  remarked, 
"  If  there  is  a  man  on  this  committee  who  does  not  believe 
that  this  woman  has  as  good  a  right  to  practice  law  as  he 
has  let  him  say  so  now.,  or  forever  after  hold  his  peace." 
Hon.  Geo.  F.  Hoar  the  same  day  presented  the  bill  to  the 
house,  and  it  was  passed  by  a  two-thirds  majority.  A  simi- 
lar bill  was  passed  in  the  senate.  Like  the  house  bill  it 
was  referred  to  the  judiciary  committee.  The  senate  com- 
mittee thought  that  no  special  legislation  was  necessary. 
This  passed  the  matter  over  until  the  next  session.  Senator 
McDonald,  backed  by  Mr.  Hoar,  enlisted  in  its  favor  and 
made  a  great  speech.  Two  petitions  in  its  behalf  were  pre- 
sented, one  from  the  bar  of  the  District  of  Columbia  and 
one  from  the  State  of  New  York.  The  bill  was  still  op- 
posed by  many  senators,  but  Senators  Sargent  and  Mc- 
Oreery  joining  their  efforts  with  those  of  the  gentlemen 
named  it  was  put  upon  its  passage  on  the  15th  of  February, 
1879,  and  became  a  law  by  a  majority  of  twenty-one. 

On  March  3,  1879,  Hon.  A.  G.  Riddle  made  a  motion 


MRS.    BELVA    A.    LOCKWOOD.  259 

before  the  supreme  court  for  her  admission  to  practice,  and 
the  court  granted  tlie  request.  On  the  6th  of  the  same 
month  she  was,  on  motion  of  Hon.  Thomas  J.  Durant,  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  of  the  United  States  Court  of  Claims. 

Mrs.  Lockwood's  heroic  struggles  were  finally  crowned 
with  success,  and  she  was  now  the  peer  of  the  greatest  law- 
yer in  the  land,  all  judicial  barriers  were  broken  down*. 
Upon  this  achievement  she  received  many  congratulatory 
letters  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States.  Among  others 
who  wrote  were  Matilda  Joslyn  Gage,  Clemence  S.  Lozier, 
M.  D.,  Elizabeth  Cady  Stanton,  Susan  B.  Anthony  and  her 
friend  and  pastor,  Rev.  A.  F.  Mason.  Mrs.  Lockwood  has 
been  interested  in  and  taken  an  active  part  in  the  thorough 
mental,  moral  and  physical  training  of  the  young  women. 
From  a  very  early  age  up  to  the  date  of  her  admission  to 
the  bar  of  the  supreme  court  in  September,  1873,  she  was  a 
teacher,  and  as  such  was  accustomed  to  give  daily  practical 
instructions  in  calisthenics  and  gymnastics.  She  owes  much 
of  her  strong,  vigorous  health  and  suppleness  of  limb  to 
this  daily  exercise  and  a  practice  of  daily  walking.  In  1868, 
while  employed  as  a  teacher  at  Union  League  Hall,  she  be- 
came interested  in  the  "  Women's  Rights  Movement,"  and 
since  that  time  has  done  what  she  could  for  the  advance- 
ment of  women  in  the  arts,  sciences  and  professions. 

She  has  spoken  on  "  Woman's  right  to  the  ballot "  in 
all  the  great  commercial  and  literary  centers  of  the  country, 
Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New  York,  Boston,  Indianapolis 
and  Chicago.  Her  last  address  on  that  question,  "  The  dis- 
franchisement  of  the  women  of  Utah,"  was  made  at  Lincoln 
Hall,  January  23,  1883,  and  the  day  following,  before  the 
judiciary  committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

She  is  a  member  of  the  "  Universal   Peace   Union/7  an 


260  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

organization  composed  mainly  from  the  Society  of  Friends, 
and  a  kindred  society  to  this  in  the  interest  of  universal 
peace,  the  "  National  Arbitration  League,"  which  has  for 
its  objects  the  settlement  of  all  international  questions  by 
arbitration,  thus  avoiding  war  between  nations. 

Her  lecture  on  this  subject,  delivered  first  in  Washing- 
ton, has  been  repeated  in  Providence  and  in  many  of  the 
interior  cities  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania  and  Connecticut. 

During  President  Hayes'  administration  a  memorial  on 
this  question  was  prepared  and  presented  to  the  president, 
asking  him  to  appoint  a  commission  to  negotiate  with 
foreign  nations,  and  a  bill  was  introduced  in  Congress  for 
an  appropriation  to  pay  the  expenses  of  such  a  commission. 

This  effort  was  followed  by  her  through  the  Arbitra- 
tion League,  by  strenuous  efforts  to  have  President  Arthur, 
and  later  through  Congress,  confirm  the  calling  of  the 
Peace  Convention  of  the  American  States,  as  recommended 
by  Hon.  James  G.  Blaine. 

Her  letter  on  this  subject  was  first  published  in  the  New 
York  Tribune  and  copied  into  many  other  leading  papers 
of  the  country.  It  sets  forth  that  war  is  a  relic  of  barbar- 
ism that  must  pass  away  before  enlightened  civilization,  and 
that  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  all  difficulties  between 
nations  will  be  settled  by  reason  and  justice  and  not  by  the 
sword. 

For  nearly  two  years  past  Mrs.  Lockwood  has,  in  dis- 
patching her  business,  and  for  the  healthful  exercise  afforded, 
been  riding  a  trycicle.  She  believes  the  bicycle  and  try- 
cicle  will  largely  take  the  place  of  horses  in  the  large  cities 
and  in  the  country  where  the  roads  will  admit  of  their  use, 
and  that  horseback  riding  will  go  out  of  use. 

For  the  last  ten  years,  and  since  overcoming  the  preju- 


MRS.    BELVA    A.    LOCKWOOD.  261 

dices  of  judges,  law  universities  and  the  bar,  she  has  enjoyed 
an  extensive  practice  of  law  in  all  the  courts,  civil  and 
criminal.  She  also  has  an  extensive  practice  before  the  de- 
partments of  the  government,  the  court  of  claims  and 
supreme  court  of  the  United  States. 

Her  law  labors  have  beeji  engrossing  and  absorbing, 
and  she  has  calls  to  go  to  distant  cities.  She  recently  ap- 
peared in  the  United  States  court  at  Boston  in  the  cele- 
brated case  of  Burgess  vs.  Graffamel,  et  al.  Her  appear- 
ance before  the  courts  there  was  the  first  made  by  a  woman 
attorney  in  staid  New  England,  and  was  heralded  widely 
through  the  press  of  the  country. 

To  make  the  event  notable  a  reception  was  given  her  by 
the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  on 
the  evening  following.  Since  that  time  both  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut  have  admitted  women  to  the  bar. 

When  we  were  in  Washington,  some  four  years  ago, 
there  were  two  young  ladies  and  one  gentleman  studying 
law  in  her  office,  they  assisting  her  greatly  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  papers  for  the  courts.  The  receptacles  for  legal 
papers  were  alphabetically  arranged,  and  a  quiet  and  orderly 
dispatch  of  business  was  going  forward  all  the  time. 


MISS  MARY  A.  WEST. 


PRESIDENT    ILLINOIS    STATE  WOMEN'S    CHRISTIAN    TEMPERANCE 

UNION. 


Various  gifts  and  talents,  natural  and  acquired,  and  the 
application  and  industry  to  use  them  for  the  advancement 
of  the  mental  and  moral  culture  of  our  race,  are  the 
distinguishing  traits  illustrating  and  exemplifying  the  char- 
acter of  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Mary  Allen  West  was  born  July  31,  1837,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  present  city  of  Galesburg,  Knox  county. 
Illinois.  Her  parents  were  Nehemiah  and  Catherine  West, 
members  of  the  colony  of  advance  settlers  that  came  to 
that  county  in  the  spring  of  1836,  and  the  pioneers  in  the 
laying  out  and  building  up  of  the  interests  of  Galesburg. 
Mr.  West  soon  after  removed  to  Galesburg,  and  was  among 
the  foremost  men  in  the  formative  period  of  what  soon 
became  a  great  educational  center.  At  an  early  age  Mary 
commenced  attending  the  district  school,  and  soon 
developed  an  aptitude  for  acquiring  knowledge  that  seemed 
almost  phenomenal  —  the  desire  for  study  was  almost  a 
passion  with  her.  While  yet  a  child,  her  extensive  knowl- 
edge in  regard  to  general  history,  as  well  as  some  of  the 
sciences,  was  remarked  upon  by  all  who  were  acquainted 
with  the  family.  Her  social  qualities  were  cultivated,  and 
the  girls  of  her  own  age  were  never  so  well  pleased  as  when 
they  could  visit  Mary,  or  be  visited  by  her,  as  they  were 


MISS    MARY    A.    WEST.  263T 

always  sure  to  learn  something  new  and  useful,  and  be 
well  entertained  at  the  same  time.  She  grew  to  woman- 
hood, educated  entirely  in  the  common  school  at  Gales- 
burg  and  Knox  Seminary. 

The  moral  and  intellectual  atmosphere  of  her  child- 
hood's home  undoubtedly  had  much  to  do  with  the  forma- 
tion of  her  character.  The  home  band,  the  father  and 
mother,  were  conscientious  Christians,  of  great  intellec- 
tual force,  and  the  children  drank  in  from  this  fountain 
solid  precepts  to  govern  their  youthful  action,  that  followed 
them  when  grown  to  maturer  years.  As  all  parents  should 
do,  they  made  the  home  for  their,  children  bright  and 
pleasant, —  the  morals  and  the  family  education  were  para- 
mount to  everything  else.  To  illustrate  this,  several  years 
ago  the  author  was  visiting  at  the  family  home  of  Miss 
West  while  her  aged  mother  was  still  living,  and  the  con- 
versation reverted  to  the  subject  of  youthful  education. 
Mrs.  West  said  that  when  Mary  was  yet  a  small  girl,  when 
visited  by  girls  of  her  own  age  Mary  would  read  to  them, 
or  form  them  into  groups,  school  fashion,  and  thus  enter- 
tain her  company,  and  at  the  same  time  there  would  be  no 
break  in  her  own  studies,  her  girl  friends,  when  leaving, 
having  probably  learned  something  useful,  and  at  the  s^pie 
time  been  highly  entertained.  Thus  passed  the  childhood 
years  of  Mary  Allen  West. 

When  Miss  West  was  only  thirteen  she  presented  her- 
self for  the  required  examination  to  enter  Knox  Seminary, 
and  it  was  satisfactory,  but  the  rules  of  that  institution 
admitted  no  student  under  the  age  of  fifteen.  She  was 
obliged  to  wait,  but  while  doing  so  engaged  in  teaching  for 
the  most  part  of  the  time  until  the  ADVANCED  age  of  fifteen 
would  admit  her  to  its  charmed  intellectual  circle,  and 


264  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

she  graduated  with  all  the  honors  at  seventeen,  immediately 
entering  upon  the  great  work  of  her  life  —  teaching.  As  a 
teacher  she  is  pre-eminent,  whether  in  the  social  circle,  the 
schoolroom,  at  her  desk  swaying  the  sceptre,  as  director- 
general  of  the  educational  interests  of  Knox  county  as 
superintendent  of  schools,  or  since  she  gave  up  that  respon- 
sible position.  She  has  assumed  part  of  the  business  and 
editorial  management  of  the  UNION  SIGNAL,  of  Chicago, 
the  exponent  of  the  State  Women's  Christian  Temperance 
Union  of  Illinois.  This  is  more  particularly  her  recent 
work.  To  follow  out  all  the  departments  of  her  varied 
useful  labors  would  fill  more  space  than  the  limits  of  our 
work  will  permit. 

With  her  duties  as  a  teacher  she  has  contributed 
much  to  the  educational,  religious,  temperance  and  secular 
press.  Although  residing  at  Galesburg,  she  edited  "  Our 
Home  Monthly,"  of  Philadelphia,  for  two  years.  The 
"  Christian  Union  "  has  been  favored  by  her  with  many 
rare  gems  on  many  subjects, —  but.  all  in  the  interests  of 
education.  A  great  many  of  these  able  contributions  she 
has  given  as  a  free  offering  to  promote  the  interest  in 
which  they  were  written.  She  was  for  some  time  the 
Illinois  correspondent  of  the  New  England  Journal  of 
Education,  Boston,  and  has  been  offered  positions  on  various 
editorial  staffs.  Besides  these  many  labors  of  love  and 
duty  she  is  engaged  in  literary  work  not  yet  given  to  the 
world,  which  we  can  promise,  when  it  does  appear,  will  be 
the  most  full  and  complete  yet  given  of  that  class,  being  a 
historical  work. 

At  the  session  of  the  legislature,  April,  1873,  a  law  was 
enacted  making  women  eligible  to  all  school  offices  in  the 
state.  Immediately  leading  citizens  of  Knox  county,  hav- 


MISS    MAEY   A.  WEST.  265 

ing  at  heart  the  educational  interest,  asked  permission  to 
present  her  name  as  a  candidate.  She  declined  the  honor, 
but  notwithstanding  this  refusal  she  was  brought  forward 
as  a  candidate  and  elected  over  two  opposing  candidates  by 
a  good  round  majority  for  four  years,  and  so  well  did  she 
perform  her  duties  that  at  the  end  of  her  first  term,  in 
1877,  she  was  again  elected  by  acclamation,  none  appearing 
to  contest  the  honor  against  her.  She  served  her  last  term 
and  then  positively  declined  to  serve  longer,  her  other  work 
in  the  great  moral  educational  world  was  so  pressing  that  it 
called  her  to  broader  fields;  but  before  recording  the 
present,  the  reader  will  permit  a  retrospective  of  the  busy 
life  of  Mary  Allen  West.  Her  educatienal  work  is  found 
in  the  records  of  the  State  Teachers'  Institute,  the  State 
Association  of  County  Superintendents,  she  is  a  member 
of  the  examining  committee  of  the  State  Teachers'  Asso- 
ciation, also  a  member  of  the  International  Council  of 
Education  of  the  Permanent  Exposition  in  Philadelphia. 
During  the  war  she  did  a  noble  work.  She  was,  during 
the  entire  existence  of  the  Soldier's  Aid  Society,  either  the 
recording  or  corresponding  secretary.  Knox  county  boys, 
wherever  they  were,  particularly  the  sick  and  wounded, 
were  followed  by  her  inquiries  as  to  their  welfare.  She  has 
represented  her  city,  county  and  state,  at  state,  national  and 
international  conventions ;  was  a  member  of  the  Centennial 
'Commission ;  has  been,  and  still  is  interested  in  the  Social 
Science  movement,  and  at  one  time  a  vice-president.  This 
has  been  her  work  of  years  outside  of  Knox  county.  Her 
home  labors  have  been  most  arduous,  but  cheerfully 
taken  up  and  performed.  As  characteristic,  in  her  teaching 
experience  to  the  ignorant  and  down  trodden,  was  her  con- 
nection with  the  colored  school.  The  first  years  of  the  war 


266  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

a  great  many  contrabands  came  to  Galesburg.  She  taught 
them,  seeking  them  out,  giving  them  much  time,  working 
under  many  difficulties.  Her  colored  school  numbered 
more  than  one  hundred  of  all  ages. 

She  has  counsele4  with  all  the  women's  organizations 
for  promoting  missionary  work,  was  president  of  the 
"'Prairie  Gleaners,"  a  home  mission  band,  has  ever  been  a 
devoted  Sunday  school  worker,  conducting  a  large  bible 
class  for  young  ladies,  and  making  Sunday  visitations  to  the 
jail  when  criminals  where  confined  there.  Added  to  these, 
and  perhaps  crowning  the  whole  of  them,  has  been  her 
devotion  to  the  temperance  cause.  She  organized  and 
superintended  the  central  division  of  the  Band  of  Hope, 
and  the  local  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  and  wa& 
vice-president  of  the  Ninth  Congressional  District,  (now  the 
tenth).  Has  delivered  many  temperance  addresses,  and 
very  often,  when  the  gentlemen  thought  it  too  stormy  or 
inclement  to  fill  their  appointments  in  a  country  neighbor- 
hood, she  would  brave  rain,  cold  and  Kuox  county  mud 
when  there  was  work  to  be  done  for  temperance. 

Many  men  owe  their  reformation  to  the  thoughtful 
advice,  and  sometimes,  more  substantial  aid,  given  them  by 
Miss  West.  She  has  been  helpful  to  the  young  of  her  own 
sex—  many  young  girls  acknowledging  that  her  sustaining 
hand  and  noble  encouragement  to  endeavor,  has  helped 
them  to  attain  a  higher  education  and  lead  a  nobler  life. 

At  the  last  annual  meeting  of  the  Illinois  State 
Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union  she  was  elected 
president,  and  to  her  other  active  duties  she  is  now  giving 
her  attention  to  the  organization  and  building  up  of  the 
temperance  cause  throughout  the  state. 

We  met  her  at  the  meeting  of  the  >$tate  Educational 


MISS    MARY    A.   WEST.  267 

Society  at  Springfield,  early  in  January,  where  she  displayed 
the  same  earnestness  in  this  field  of  labor  as  in  the  temper- 
ance work. 

As  soon  as  the  society  adjourned  she  engaged  in  the 
work  of  getting  material  from  the  ample  resources  of  the 
state  library  to  aid  her  in  the  preparation  of  the  great  work 
in  which  she  is  now  engaged,  that  will  appear  within  the 
next  two  or  three  years. 

Miss  West  is  an  exception  to  many  women  of  great  liter- 
ary fame.  She  posesses  in  an  eminent  degree,  great  house- 
keeping abilities,  of  this  the  author  being  the  judge.  She 
handles  the  pallet  and  brush  with  considerable  skill,  and 
in  her  spare  hours,  has  perfected  some  .paintings,  showing 
taste  and  critical  judgment  in  matters  of  art.  That  she  has 
accomplished  so  much  in  life  she  ascribes  largely  to  the 
fact  that  she  never  let  a  moment  go  to  waste.  Of  her  edu- 
cational—  her  school-house  labors,  both  as  teacher  and 
superintendent  of  schools,  we  could  greatly  enlarge,  be- 
cause we  have  been  in  positions  to  know.  But  the  limits 
of  our  work,  the  vast  amount  of  other  matter  that  yet 
awaits  our  preparation  for  this  and  succeeding  volumes, 
precludes  further  mention. 


EEPEESENTATIYE     MEN. 


DR.    ROBERT  BOAL. 


EX-PRESIDENT    ILLINOIS    MEDICAL    SOCIETY. 


Nativity  —  Education  —  First  practice  —  Moves  to  Illinois  —  His 
large  practice — His  interest  in  public  affairs  —  Oratorical 
efforts  — Deep  interest  in  politics  —  Elected  to  state  senate- 
Services  to  the  state  —  Elected  to  legislature  1854-56  —  Long 
services  to  the  state  —  Trustee  of  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  — 
Enrolling  Surgeon  Fifth  Congressional  District  —  Removes 
to  Peoria  —  Organization  of  Illinois  State  Medical  Society  — 
Elected  president  —  Author's  recollections  — Their  object  — 
Advances  in  medical  science  —  Opinion  of  eminent  physi- 
cias  —  The  past  and  present  —  Now  and  then  —  Synopsis  of 
Dr.  Boal's  address— A  contribution  to  science. 

Robert  Boal  was  born  Nov.  15, 1806,  in  Dauphin  county, 
near  Harrisburg,  Pennyslvania.  He  was  the  son  of  Thomas 
and  Elizabeth  Grain  Boal.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  resi- 
ding there  till  1810,  when  he  moved  to  Cincinnati.  When 
Robert  attained  the  proper  age  he  was  sent  to  the  city 
schools  and  made  fair  progress  in  the  primary  and  rudimen- 
tal  studies  until  the  age  of  fifteen,  when  he  entered  Cincin- 
nati College,  taking  only  such  studies  as  would  fit  him  for 
entering  on  his  medical  course.  In  1824  he  entered  Ohio 
Medical  College,  having  the  full  benefit  of  medical  lectures 
during  his  course  of  studies,  and  graduating  in  1828,  he 


DR.    ROBERT    BOAL.  269 


immediately  commenced  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Reading, 
Ohio,  ten  miles  north  of  Cincinnati,  continuing  there  until 
1834,  when  he  removed  to  Cincinnati,  continuing  his  prac- 
tice there  till  1836. 

In  the  fall  of  1834  he  came  to  Illinois  on  a  prospecting 
tour,  and  some  of  his  Cincinnati  friends  having  become  in- 
terested in  the  new  city  of  Lacon  he  concluded,  after  visit- 
ing the  place,  to  identify  himself  with  the  interests  of  the 
embryo  city,  and  returning  to  Cincinnati  early  in  the  spring 
of  1836,  made  his  preparations  to  remove  to  his  new  field 
of  labor,  that  in  after  years  became  the  scene  of  his  success- 
ful practice,  and  he  was  not  long  in  securing  the  esteem  and 
confidence  of  the  people  among  whom  he  had  formed  a 
wide  acquaintance.  He  was  gifted  with  unusual  oratorical 
talent  and  took  a  deep  interest  in  public  affairs  as  they 
related  to  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of  the  new  city, 
and  as  well  in  state  and  national  affairs. 

In  the  movement  to  organize  the  new  county  of  Mar- 
shall in  1838,  he  lent  the  influence  of  his  voice  and  pen  to 
promote  it,  and  through  his  and  others7  efforts  the  new 
county  was  organized  early  in  1839,  resulting  in  making 
Lacon  the  county  seat.  He  also  took  an  active  part  in  the 
political  campaign  of  1840,  that  resulted  in  the  election  of 
William  H.  Harrison  to  the  presidency.  He  was  an  ardent 
whig  and  outspoken  in  the  advocacy  of  his  principles,  and 
throughout  the  surrounding  counties  his  services  on  the 
stump  were  in  great  request  to  promote  the  success  of  local 
objects  and  the  interests  of  the  state  and  nation.  His  prac- 
tice was  not  neglected,  and  in  seasons  of  unusual  sickness 
every  other  consideration  was  merged  in  alleviating  the  suf- 
ferings and  pains  of  the  sick  and  afflicted.  His  professional 
services  were  alike  commanded  by  the  poor  as  well  as  those 


270  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

in  better  circumstances.  The  contents  of  his  medicine  case 
were  open  to  all,  no  matter  what  the  prospect  was  for  future 
remuneration.  His  time,  together  with  the  services  of  Dr. 
Wilcox,  his  partner,  was  fully  occupied  in  attending  the 
calls  made  on  them  for  medical  services. 

Outside  of  professional  services  he  had  many  calls  to 
speak  in  aid  of  the  benevolent  organizations  and  reforms  of 
the  day,  and  no  man  gave  his  money  or  time  more  freely. 

In  obedience  to  the  call  of  the  people  in  1844  he  was 
nominated  and  elected  to  the  state  senate  on  the  whig  ticket, 
a  great  many  of  the  opposite  political  party  voting  for  him. 
He  co-operated  with  the  best  men  of  the  state  of  both  par- 
ties in  building  up  the  ruined  credit  of  the  state,  and  aiding 
legislation  that  resulted  in  finishing  the  Illinois  and  Michi- 
gan Canal.  Although  keeping  fully  abreast  of  all  the  politi- 
cal movements  of  the  day,  he  did  not  enter  official  life 
again  until  1854,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, and  re-elected  in  1856,  serving  four  years,  giving 
much  time  in  the  Kansas-Nebraska  agitation  to  enlighten- 
ing the  people,  resulting  in  the  organization  of  the  republi- 
can party.  At  the  end  of  his  legislative  service  in  1857  he 
was  appointed  by  Gov.  Bissell  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Deaf 
and  Dumb  Institution  at  Jacksonville,  and  was  successively 
re-appointed  by  Gov.  Yates  in  1861,  by  Gov.  Oglesby  in 
1865,  Gov.  Palmer  in  1869,  and  Gov.  Beveridge  in  1873;  a 
continuous  service  of  over  seventeen  years  that  he  gave  to 
this  benevolence  and  charity.  Most  of  this  time  he  was 
president  of  the  board  of  trustees.  Abounding  in  good 
works,  he  was  never  idle. 

In  1863  he  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  board  of  en- 
listment of  the  Fifth  Illinois  Congressional  District,  com- 
posed of  the  counties  of  Peoria,  Knox,  Marshall,  Putnam, 


DR.    ROBERT    BOAL.  271 


Bureau,  Henry  and  Stark,  with  headquarters  at  Peoria. 
New  regiments  were  being  constantly  organized  and 
mustered  in,  and  his  duties  were  arduous,  and  he  gave  to 
them  unremitting  attention. 

He  was  one  of  the  charter  members  in  organizing  the 
Illinois  State  Medical  Society,  and  its  president  in  1882, 
and  before  the  conclusion  of  this  chapter  will  be  found  a 
synopsis  of  his  address,  which  we  give  in  connection  with 
our  own  and  others'  observations  on  the  advances  of  medi- 
cal science  in  the  last  half  century. 

In  these  u  Recollections "  we  propose  to  present  the 
foremost  representative  men  of  the  state  from  every  indus- 
try, avocation  and  profession.  For  near  the  full  half  cen- 
tury spent  in  this  state  it  has  been  our  pleasure,  to  which 
we  refer  with  no  little  pride,  to  know  as  friend,  neighbor, 
companion,  business  adviser  and  physician,  Dr.  Robert 
Boal,  the  oldest,  ablest,  and  for  length  of  years,  the  most 
successful  physician  in  the  state.  His  is  a  history  that  a 
whole  volume  could  with  profit  be  given  to  its  relation. 
He  is  a  man  of  most  intelligent  and  broad  views,  and  of 
long  and  honorable  fame  in  a  profession  noted  all  over  the 
state  for  men  distinguished  for  intelligence  and  earnestness, 
who  entered  on  their  professional  career  with  the  heroic 
purpose  of  alleviating  human  suffering  and  prolonging 
human  life; — to  what  higher  ambition  can  a  life  be  devoted 
than  advancing  medical  science  by  observation  and  experi- 
ence, observing,  studying  and  minutely  recording  develop- 
ments that  occur  in  their  practice. 

Medical  culture  in  the  last  fifty  years  has  made  an 
indelible  impress  upon  the  whole  world  of  science,  letters 
and  religion  —  in  a  word,  upon  humanity.  It  would  not  be 
amiss  in  the  presentation  of  our  representative  to  note  some 
of  the  advances  made. 


272 

Great  progress  and  improvement  has  been  made  in 
surgery. 

An  eminent  American  authority  says :  "  The  contrast 
between  the  surgery  of  former  times  and  that  of  the  present 
day  forms  one  of  the  brightest  pages  in  the  history  of 
human  progress.  Redeemed  and  purified  by  the  genius  of 
modern  discovery,  it  is  no  longer  a  handicraft,  but  science 
and  art  reduced,  if  not  to  perfection,  to  principles  as  accu- 
rate as  any  that  have  been  introduced  into  the  study  of  the 
natural  sciences,  of  which  it  forms  one  of  the  most  inter- 
esting and  useful  branches.  Surgery  can  no  longer  be  sep- 
arated from  medicine.  No  surgeon  can  practice  his  pro- 
fession with  credit  to  himself  or  benefit  to  his  fellow-creat- 
ures if  he  is  not  an  enlightened  physician,  deeply  grounded 
in  the  doctrine  of  disease  and  its  cure." 

Another  eminent  physician,  Dr.  J.  D.  Hills,  of  New 
York,  says :  "  By  the  aid  of  anaesthetics,  an  American  con- 
tribution to  science  and  humanity,  surgical  operations  have 
become  painless,  and  many  are  now  performed  successfully 
which  without  anaesthetics  would  have  been  impossible, 
from  the  fatal  shock  to  the  system. 

"Operations  are  successfully  made  in  cases  of  railroad 
injuries  and  gun-shot  wounds,  which  could  not  have  been 
accomplished  without  the  aid  of  anaesthesia.  By  the  com- 
bined use  of  anaesthetics  and  the  elastic  bandage,  amputa- 
tions, exsections,  resections  and  operations  in  many  cases 
of  aneurism,  are  rendered  not  only  painless  but  bloodless. 

"The  exploring  trochar  and  aspirator  enables  us  to  pene- 
trate the  viscera  of  the  thorax  and  abdomen  with  compara- 
tive safety,  and  remove  pathological  secretions  and  deposits 
not  unfrequently  occurring  in  the  pleura,  lungs,  liver,  kid- 
neys or  ovaries.  The  suffering,  pain  and  diseases  which  the 


DR.    ROBERT    BOAL.  273 


progress  made  in  obstetrics  and  gynecology  enables  us  to 
mitigate,  if  not  entirely  relieve,  should  entitle  the  depart- 
ment of  medicine  to  be  numbered  among  the  greatest  bene- 
factors to  suffering  humanity." 

In  his  annual  address  as  president  of  the  Illinois  State 
Medical  Society,  delivered  at  Quincy,  May  16,  1882,  Dr. 
Boal  gave  some  interesting  reminiscences  of  the  past,  pre- 
senting his  subject,  "Past  and  Present;  Then  and  Now." 
He  says : 

"  Fifty  years  ago  the  agencies  and  facilities  for  obtain- 
ing a  professional  education  were  few  and  far  between. 
THEN  but  two  medical  colleges  were  in  existence  west  of 
the  Alleghany  mountains  —  the  medicel  department  of 
Transylvania  University  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and  the 
Medical  College  of  Ohio,  founded  by  that  giant  in  the  pro- 
fession, the  late  Dr.  Dan  Drake  —  NOW  towns  of  fifteen  or 
twenty  thousand  inhabitants  boast  of  at  least  one  medical 
college.  THEN  a  faculty  composed  of  five  or  six  professors 
was  deemed  a  large  and  imposing  one,  in  numbers  at  least, 
whatever  else  might  be  said  as  to  its  qualifications  in  other 
respects;  NOW,  in  every  medical  school,  however  obscure, 
a  long  list  of  professors  of  every  conceivable  subject  in  the 
profession  is  published,  and  the  doctrine  of  division  of  labor 
has  been  carried  out  to  an  extent  hitherto  unknown. 

"If,  half  a  century  ago,  our  educational  facilities  were 
meagre  and  inadequate,  now,  on  the  other  extreme,  our 
colleges  are  multiplied  until  the  supply  is  greater  than  the 
demand.  In  many  cases  these  institutions  have  lowered 
the  standard  of  professional  qualifications  to  such  a  degree 
as  to  send  forth  illiterate  and  incompetent  men,  thereby 
imposing  on  the  public  and  bringing  reproach  upon  the 
profession.  The  remedy  rests  mainly  with  the  profession. 
Let  it  discountenance,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  establish- 
ment of  colleges  where  they  are  not  needed.  Let  it,  in  the 
name  of  humanity,  demand  such  regulations  and  enactments 
as  will  deprive  these  small,  obscure,  and  numerous  institu- 
18 


274  FIFTY    YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

tions  of  the  power  of  conferring  degrees  in  medicine,  and 
accrediting  the  illiterate  and  incompetent  to  the  community. 
It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  progress  of  the  age  and  its  re- 
quirements will  wake  up  the  public  to  the  fact  that  for  its 
protection  and  safety  such  reform  is  needed. 

"  THEN  the  practice  of  medicine  in  all  its  departments 
was  pursued  by  the  same  individual ;  NOW  we  have  special- 
ists for  every  branch  of  the  science  and  art  of  medicine. 
THEN  every  practitioner  was  physician,  surgeon,  obstetri- 
cian, gynecologist,  opthalmogist,  and  dentist;  NOW  all  these 
are  special  subjects  of  study  and  practice,  and  as  a  result, 
wonderful  advances  have  been  made  in  these  branches  of 
the  profession,  and  life  has  been  rendered  more  tolerable 
and  happy  through  the  skill  thus  acquired. 

"  THEN  calomel,  antimony,  and  venesection  were  the 
common  and  indispensable  remedies  ;•  that  they  were  useful 
and  potent  remedial  agents,  and,  in  their  day,  did  much 
good,  is  true ;  but  it  is  equally  true  that  their  lavish  and  in- 
discriminate employment  did  great  harm.  Where  is  the 
physician  of  the  present  day  who  would  have  the  temerity 
to  repeatedly  bleed  a  patient  and  keep  him  nauseated  for 
days  upon  tartar  emetic  to  cut  short  a  case  of  pneumonia  or 
pleuritis?  Where  is  one  to  be  found  who  would  admin- 
ister scruple  or  half-drachm  doses  of  calomel,  or  a  corres- 
pondingly large  amount  of  antimony,  every  three  or  four 
hours  ?  Now  we  have  a  better  knowledge  of  disease  and  a 
better  practice  founded  on  it.  THEN  every  practitioner 
was  his  own  druggist  and  pharmacist,  made  his  own  pills 
and  tinctures,  compounded  all  his  own  medicines,  and  gen- 
erally carried  all  he  required,  as,  with  saddle-bags  on  his 
arm  or  astride  his  horse,  he  wended  his  way  from  house  to 
house,  administering  to  the  sick  and  ailing,  always  welcome, 
regarded  as  an  angel  of  mercy,  although  his  homely  garb 
and  rough  appearance  looked  anything  but  angelic. 

"The  life  of  a  doctor  of  that  day  was  one  of  peril,  toil  and 
privation ;  NOW  it  is  one  of  comparative  safety,  ease  and 
comfort;  THEN  the  country  was  thinly  settled  and  his 
rides  were  long  and  solitary ;  NOW  it  is  populous,  the  doc- 


DR.    ROBERT    BOAL.  275 


tor's  excursions  are  short  and  he  seldom  lacks  companion- 
ship ;  then  his  patients  were  scattered  over  a  wide  extent 
of  territory,  and  his  travel  was  mostly  performed  on  horse- 
back, and  its  extent  and  duration  was  measured  only  by 
the  power  of  endurance  of  himself  and  horse ;  NOW  the  area 
over  which  even  the  country  physician  travels  is  limited  to 
a  few  square  miles,  and  he  jogs  along  in  his  buggy  or  car- 
riage without  discomfort  or  fatigue;  THEN,  often  on  his 
errands  of  mercy  he  swam  his  horse  over  swollen  streams, 
or  made  long  detours  to  enable  him  to  cross  or  avoid  the 
still  more  treacherous  sloughs,  sometimes  following  for 
miles  a  trail  or  path  which  he  was  liable  to  lose  at  any 
moment,  with  no  living  thing  around  him  ;  NOW  the  swollen 
streams  are  bridged,  the  sloughs  have  been  drained,  the 
broad  highway  has  succeeded  the  trail  and  bridle  path ; 
THEN,  often  whole  days  and  nights  were" spent  in  the  saddle 
without  rest  except  a  few  snatches  of  sleep,  sometimes  taken 
on  horse-back,  sometimes  in  the  lonely  cabin  of  the  settler ; 
NOW  in  the  abundance  of  the  material  with  which  the  pro- 
fession is  supplied,  no  such  sacrifice  of  ease  and  comfort  is 
required ;  THEN  at  the  call  of  sickness  or  pain  he  promptly 
responded,  whether  in  sunshine  or  storm,  in  summer's  heat, 
or  winter's  cold,  traversing  in  his  long  journeys  great 
stretches  of  prairie,  blackened  by  the  annual  fires  which 
swept  over  it,  his  vision  resting  on  nothing  gave  the  black 
and  cheerless  plain  spread  out  before  him.  The  country 
was  new,  the  doctors  young  and  few  in  number,  and  no 
demand  for  services  could  be  refused  on  any  pretext  save 
from  absolute  inabilty  to  mount  a  horse.  Necessity  made 
him  self-reliant  and  courageous. 

"Now,  cultivated  fields,  neat  and  comfortable  farm 
houses  have  taken  the  place  of  burnt  prairies,  doctors  are 
plenty,  and  many  of  them  are  no  longer  young.  THEN  the 
doctor  was  poor  in  purse,  for  his  services  were  often  paid 
for  in  promises — very  seldom  money, —  greenbacks  were 
unknown,  fees  were  small.  The  best  and  most  reliable 
-circulating  medium  was  the  products  of  the  country,  and 
with  this  the  doctor  wa«  generally  paid.  Now,  while  few 


276  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

physicians  are  rich,  nearly  all  make  a  comfortable  living, 
their  services  command  fair  prices,  and  when  paid,  the 
money  is  good. 

"THEN,  the  dependence  on  each  other,  and  the  kindly 
life  of  a  new  country,  gave  the  doctor  a  strong  hold  on  the 
affections  of  the  people  where  he  lived  and  labored.  They 
loved  him  while  living,  mourned  for  him  when  dead.  The 
doctor  did  not  know  as  much  as  we  do  now,  yet,  perhaps, 
knew  some  things  of  which  we  were  ignorant,  and  which  it 
would  be  profitable  to  learn. 

"  THEN  the  practice  consisted  mainly  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  calomel  and  jalap  in  a  large  dose  when  first 
called  to  a  case,  and  then  continuing  the  use  of  calomel 
alone  in  small  and  repeated  doses,  followed  by  nitrate  of 
potash  and  James7  powder  or  tartrate  of  antimony  as  a 
febrifuge.  Many  doctors  of  that  day  labored  under  the 
delusion  that  when  their  patient's  salivary  glands  were 
swollen,  his  mouth  sore  and  running  a  stream,  then  the 
disease  was  subdued  and  convalescence  followed.  So- 
deeply  rooted  was  this  belief  in  the  minds  of  most  of  the 
practitioners  of  that  day  that  the  death  of  a  patient  treated 
to  a  profuse  salivating  was  a  mystery  they  could  not 
fathom. 

"  Quinine  was  sparingly  used.  The  people  had  a  preju- 
dice against  it,  and  its  remedial  powers,  as  we  now  know 
them,  were  little  understood ;  NOW,  instead  of  large  and 
nauseous  doses,  clumsy  pharmacy  and  crude  substances  of 
that  day,  we  have  their  active  principles,  and  our  pills,  ex- 
tracts and  various  other  preparations  are  so  elegant  in  form 
and  disguised  in  taste  as  to  be  acceptable  to  the  most  fas- 
tidious stomach.  THEN  the  doctor,  next  to  the  minister, 
was  the  trusted  friend  and  counselor  of  every  family  to 
whom  he  ministered.  His  advice  was  sought,  not  only 
professionally,  but  upon  almost  every  other  matter.  He 
shared  their  joys,  soothed  their  sorrows,  and  every  pass- 
ing year  added  to  and  cemented  the  attachment  between 
them ;  NOW,  the  doctor  is  regarded  more  in  the  light  of  a 
tradesman  or  mechanic,  and  is  employed  from  the  same 


DR.    ROBERT   BOAL.  277 


consideration  that  a  grocer,  tailor  or  shoemaker  is.  The 
strong  ties  of  gratitude  and  affection  which  then  bound 
physician  and  patient  together  have  almost  ceased  to  exist. 
Their  relation  is  now  placed  on  a  mere  commercial  basis, 
and  for  this  the  profession  is  more  to  blame  than  the  public. 

"THEN,  woman  was  not  known  or  recognized  as  a 
practitioner  of  medicine;  NOW,  the  profession  numbers  in 
its  ranks  many  intelligent,  educated  and  able  physicians  of 
the  other  sex.  THEN  they  were  not  admitted  to  any  med- 
ical college  in  the  land;  NOW,  schools  have  been  estab- 
lished for  their  instruction,  and  the  barriers  which  custom 
and  education  erected  have  been  broken  down,  and  the 
tendencytof  the  times  is  to  enlarge  and  widen  their  sphere 
of  labor.  As  teachers  and  practitioners  some  are  the  peers, 
and  others  will  compare  favorably  in'  qualifications  with 
those  of  the  sterner  sex.  In  some  branches  of  medicine 
they  are  excelled  by  few  of  their  male  associates.  And 
here  let  it  be  said  to  the  credit  of  the  Illinois  State  Medi- 
cal Society,  that  it  was  among  the  first  to  recognize  the 
professional  equality  of  the  sexes  by  admitting  women  as 
members  and  selecting  from  their  number  one  of  its  vice- 
presidents.  By  this  act  it  honored  women,  honored 
itself,  and  set  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  by  others. 

"  In  the  department  of  surgery  what  wonderful  ad- 
vances have  been  made.  THEN,  disease  and  pain  rested 
like  a  dark  shadow  over  its  victims,  irradiated  by  no  gleam 
of  hope.  THEN  the  surgeon  required  a  keen  eye,  a  steady 
hand  and  a  stout  heart  to  pursue  his  cruel  task, —  amid  the 
groans  and  anguish  of  the  gagged  and  bound  sufferer 
writhing  in  unutterable  pain;  NOW,  thanks  to  advanced 
knowledge  and  the  skill  thus  acquired,  but  above  all  to 
that  greatest  of  modern  discoveries,  anaesthetics,  human 
suffering  has  been  alleviated, —  the  knife  has  lost  its  terror, 
for  the  pain  it  inflicts  is  no  longer  felt,  and  the  most 
formidable  diseases  and  injuries  which  FIFTY  YEARS  AGO 
were  left  to  end  in  death,  are  in  many  cases  amenable  to 
cure.  THEN  the  removal  of  any  of  the  internal  organs,  or 
of  tumors  or  growths  upon  external  parts  of  the  body,  was 


278  FIFTY    YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

• — 

never  undertaken  or  even  thought  of  by  the  wildest 
imagination ;  NOW  many  of  the  organs  formerly  regarded 
as  essential  to  life  have  been  removed  wholly  or  in  part 
with  surprisingly  successful  results,  and  the  lives  of  thous- 
ands in  all  parts  of  the  world  have  been  prolonged.  THEN 
the  sufferer  endured  unmitigated  anguish;  NOW  it  is  no 
longer  felt;  every  part  of  the  human  body  is  explored,  and 
organs  are  exposed  which  it  was  then  thought  could  not  be 
done  without  causing  death.  All  morbid  growths,  both 
internal  and  external,  which  were  then  regarded  as  incur- 
able, are  now  either  arrested  in  their  development  or 
removed.  Electricity  in  its  several  forms  has  been  brought 
into  use,  not  only  for  this,  but  many  other  purposes,  with 
wonderful  success,  and  the  limit  of  its  power  and  employ- 
ment has  not  yet  been  reached.  THEN  the  surgery  of  the 
eye  and  ear  was  confined  to  a  few  simple  operations,  with 
uncertain  results;  NOW  these  wonderful  and  delicate  organs 
are  treated  with  so  much  skill  and  success  that  cure  of 
disease  and  restoration  of  function  is  the  rule,  accidents 
and  organic  disease  the  exception.  THEN  surgical  instru- 
ments and  appliances  were  comparatively  few,  and  often 
clumsily  constructed ;  NOW  they  are  wonderful  examples  of 
artistic  skill  and  ingenious  invention.  Our  ophthalmoscopes, 
laryngoscopes,  spectoscopes  and  other  ingenious  inventions 
now  light  many  of  the  dark  caverns  of  the  human  body, 
and  reveal  to  sight  hidden  organs  and  their  morbid  condi- 
tions, thus  rendering  their  treatment  or  removal  more  cer- 
tain and  practicable. 

THEN  little  was  known  of  that  branch  of  medicine  and 
surgery  that  bears  the  hard  Greek  name,  gynecology-  The 
revelations  of  the  speculum  and  other  improved  modes  of 
examination  and  exploration  were  unknown;  NOW  every 
medical  college,  however  small  or  obscure,  has  its  professor 
of  gynecology,  and  the  medical  and  surgical  diseases  of 
women  are  made  a  special  study,  and  thanks  to  the  knowl- 
edge and  skill  thus  acquired,  suffering  women  all  over  the 
civilized  world  have  been  rescued  from  pain  and  disease, 
and  given  a  new  hold  upon  life.  No  department  of  the  pro- 


DR.    ROBERT   BOAL.  279 


fession  has  made  greater  progress  than  this,  and  no  labors 
and  investigations  have  been  attended  with  more  beneficial 
results.  For  what  it  has  done  it  deserves  commendation. 
THEN,  in  chemistry,  pharmacy,  the  collateral  sciences  and 
their  applications  to  medicines,  to  arts,  to  the  alleviation  of" 
suffering  and  the  prolongation  of  human  life,  our  knowledge 
was  comparatively  meagre  and  unsatisfactory  ;  NOW,  chem- 
istry has  given  us  that  greatest  of  all  modern  discoveries  as 
applied  to  medicine,  anaesthetics.  It  has  given  us  disin- 
fectants and  antiseptics,  by  which  noxious  gases  and  other 
germs  of  disease  are  neutralized  or  destroyed,  health  pro- 
moted and  life  saved. 

Pharmacy  NOW  furnishes  the  palatable  and  elegant  prep- 
arations we  daily  prescribe  instead  of  the  nauseous  ones 
THEN  in  use.  Little  attention  was  THEN  paid  to  that 
department  of  medicine ;  NOW,  colleges  are  established  for 
the  education  of  pharmacists,  and  instead  of  ignorant  dis- 
pensers and  compounders  of  medical  agents,  we  have  an 
intelligent  body  of  men  thoroughly  educated  for  their 
work.  THEN,  of  hygiene,  or  the  laws  which  promote 
individual  and  public  health  little  was  known  or  under- 
stood ;  NOW,  we  know  the  influence  which  foul  air  and  bad 
sewerage  has  in  causing  and  disseminating  disease.  THEN 
little  attention  was  paid  to  the  prevention,  introduction  and 
spread  of  epidemic  and  contagious  disease ;  NOW,  a  more 
effective  quarantine  rigidly  enforced,  a  more  complete  isola- 
tion of  the  infected,  and  other  prophylactic  measures  which 
a  better  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  health  have  caused  to  be 
adopted,  have  deprived  them  of  much  of  their  terror  and 
added  greatly  to  the  sum  of  human  life. 

"In  many  other  particulars  the  PAST  and  PRESENT,  the 
THEN  and  NOW,  might  be  drawn.  The  advances  in  physi- 
ology, pathology  and  the  wonderful  revelations  of  the  mi- 
croscope are  of  themselves  fruitful  themes  for  consideration. 
But  I  am  admonished  to  refrain  from  trespassing  upon  your 
time  or  exhausting  your  patience  by  continuing  the  subject. 
Let  me  say  in  conclusion,  that  judging  from  the  past  thus 
imperfectly  sketched,  the  future  for  the  profession  of  medi- 


280 

cine  is  full  of  promise.  It  is  not,  perhaps,  too  much  to  say 
that  we  may  hopefully  look  forward  to  the  time  when  one 
obstacle  after  another  will  be  overcome,  one  new  and  useful 
discovery  after  another  be  made,  until  no  physical  evil  but 
death  will  be  beyond  the  reach  of  human  skill. 

"  Ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  society,  indebted  to  your 
kindness  for  the  position  I  occupy  to-day,  appearing  before 
you  as  one  of  the  only  two  now  living  who  aided  in  the 
formation  of  this  society,  with  the  memories  of  half  a 
century  thronging  around  me,  worn  and  weary  with  the 
journey  of  a  long  life  now  near  its  end,  I  heartily  thank 
you  for  this,  the  last  earthly  honor  I  shall  probably  ever 
receive.  I  trust  that  our  present  session  may  be  interesting 
and  profitable,  and  that  during  the  coming  years,  and  long 
before  another  generation  passes  away,  the  Illinois  State 
Medical  Society  will  have  achieved  a  reputation  and  exerted 
an  influence  in  the  profession  worthy  of  the  great  state 
whose  name  it  bears.  For  yourselves,  individually,  let  me 
express  the  hope  that  each  and  all  will  prove  loyal  to  the 
profession,  and  by  neither  word  nor  act  bring  disgrace  upon 
it,  but  strive  to  elevate  and  make  it  what  it  is  and  ought  to 
be,  the  highest  and  noblest  of  „ human  pursuits." 

Only  a  small  part  of  this  eloquent  address  can  be  given, 
but  it  is  sufficient  to  show  the  vigorous  and  comprehensive 
grasp  of  mind  he  possessed  of  the  practical  principles  of 
his  profession. 

Dr.  Boal,  now  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age, 
enjoys  robust  health,  has  a^large  practice,  and  a  competence 
although  not  wealthy,  respected  and  honored  by  his  profes- 
sional brethren  in  this  and  other  states,  "  full  of  years  and 
honors,"  bidding  fair  to  enjoy  yet  other  years  of  usefulness 
and  the  respect  and  esteem  of  people  in  all  conditions  of 
life,  for  whose  health  he  has  practiced  his  profession  to 
promote  for  fifty  years  past  —  the  oldest  practicing  physician 
in  the  state. 


HON.  ALSON  J.  STREETER. 

POLITICAL  ECONOMIST,  FINANCIER  AND  FARMER. 

In  attending  public  meetings  in  different  parts  of  the 
state,  and  county  and  state  conventions  in  the  last  fifteen 
years,  we  have  had  occasion  to  note  the  men  who  seemed 
to  be  the  controlling  power  to  whom  their  fellow  workers 
in  the  cause  looked  for  direction,  counsel  and  leadership. 
Among  these,  the  most  prominent  in  labor  and  financial 
reform  for  which  he  is  the  advocate,  was  always  found  the 
subject  of  our  present  sketch. 

Alson  Jenness  Streeter  was  born  in  Rensalear  county, 
New  York,  in  January  1823,  his  father,  Roswell  Streeter, 
in  Windham  county,  Massachusetts,  where  the  Streeter 
family  have  lived  for  many  generations.  His  mother,  Eli- 
nor Kynson  Streeter,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island.  There 
were  six  sons  and  two  daughters,  Alson  J.  being  the  eldest. 
His  father  moved  to  Alleghany  county,  New  York,  when  he 
was  four  years  old,  where  he  resided  for  eight  years.  This 
was  a  rough,  mountainous  country,  poor  soil,  where  the 
principal  crop  raised  was  potatoes  on  the  hillsides,  where 
the  little  soil  had  to  be  preserved  by  walling  it  about  with 
stones,  then  planting  the  potatoes  in  the  enclosure.  This 
was  the  only  method  of  getting  soil  enough  together  to  cover 
up  the  seed  potatoes. 

The  principal  occupation  of  the  citizens  was  making 
shingles  from  pine  blocks  with  froe  and  drawing  knife,  at 


282  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

which  young  Streeter  became  very  expert,  and  as  we  shall 
see,  did  him  good  service  in  after  years. 

There  was  a  school  house  three  or  four  miles  distant, 
and  to  this,  when  a  school  was  kept,  he  attended  one  to 
three  months  in  the  year.  When  he  was  twelve  years  old 
his  father  moved  to  Lee  county,  Illinois,  settling  twelve 
miles  east  of  Dixon.  The  family  came  to  Peoria  by  water, 
the  first  stages  of  the  journey  by  raft  down  the  Alleghany 
river,  into  the  Ohio  to  Cairo,  young  Streeter  pulling  an  oar 
aiding  his  father.  From  Pittsburg  came  round  to  Peoria 
by  steamer,  and  from  there  across  the  prairies  in  midwinter, 
arriving  at  their  destination  early  in  1834.  The  Indians 
were  still  in  the  Rock  River  country,  the  government  sur- 
vey of  the  land  not  completed,  and  the  few  settlers  then 
there  sought  shelter  in  the  scattering  groves.  The  prairies 
were  like  the  wide  sea,  the  groves  like  small  islands  in  the 
boundless  expanse.  The  people  believed  the  prairies  would 
never  be  settled.'  Very  little  money  was  then  in  circula- 
tion, and  furs  and  pelts  were  from  necessity  used  as  a 
substitute.  3Uson,  adjusting  himself  to  the  circumstances, 
was  soon  the  possessor  of  a  few  steel  traps,  a  fish  spear,  a  gun 
and  canoe,  and  became  a  youthful  Nimrod  and  fisherman. 
Helped  his  father  in  putting  in  the  crops,  "  tending  them," 
then  he  pursued  the  chase  after  the  animals  for  the  skins 
and  furs,  and  sought  the  finny  tribes  beneath  the  waters  of 
the  swift  running  Rock  River.  He  brought  down  the  wild 
geese  and  ducks,  and  sand-hill  cranes,  and  the  bounding 
deer  were  not  safe  when  within  the  range  of  his  rifle.  In 
the  summer  season  he  drove  the  oxen  to  the  breaking  plow, 
as  other  future  governors  were  then  doing.  His  "  noon- 
ings/7 and  when  the  oxen  were  resting,  he  read  what  few 
books  he  could  obtain.  While  yet  in  his  minority  he 


HON.    ALSON    J.    STREETER.  283 

attended  three  months  for  two  winters  at  Inlet  Grove,  in  a 
rude  log  school  house,  such  as  described  in  other  sketches. 
He  tried  to  excel  in  his  scholarship  and  was  fairly  success- 
ful. His  father  was  poor,  could  neither  read  nor  write.  He 
died  in  1850.  After  Alson  became  of  age  he  began  to 
"  skirmish"  for  himself  and  thought  over  the  question 
what  should  be  done,  concluding  from  his  readings  that 
every  man  was  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune,  and  he  had 
two  willing  hands  to  wield  the  tools,  a  good  constitution 
and  energy  to  do,  that  have  since  moved  things. 

He  felt  the  need  of  education,  but  he  was  poor,  and 
his  language  of  the  rough  frontier  vernacular.  He  heard 
of  Knox  College,  then  just  opened  at  Galesburg,  and 
was  told  there  was  a  manual  labor  department,  giving 
young  men  the  advantage  of  "  working  out "  their  educa- 
tion. Believing  in  improving  opportunities,  and  gathering 
up  his  scanty  wardrobe,  he  started  across  the  wide  unin- 
habited prairies  for  his  educational  Mecca  —  Galesburg,  one 
hundred  miles  distant.  He  reached  there,  possessing 
thirteen  dollars  upon  his  arrival.  He  found  the  manual 
labor  part  of  the  institution  was  not  in  "  working  order." 
What  was  he  to  do  ?  To  buy  his  books  would  take  near  all 
his  money,  then  he  would  have  nothing  to  pay  board.  But 
he  was  fruitful  in  expedients.  He  boarded  himself  in  a 
garrett,  studied  hard,  chopped  wood  Saturdays,  and  morn- 
ings and  evenings  did  odd  jobs.  When  the  summer  vaca- 
tion came,  as  he  was  an  expert  with  a  grain  cradle  and 
scythe,  he  found  steady  employment  until  the  fall  term  com- 
menced. This  was  in  the  hard  times  of  the  '40's ;  the 
building  material  was  hand-made,  "scored  and  hewed"  for 
the  frame  work,  sawed  at  the  rude  saw  mills  for  the  siding, 
and  the  shingles  split  by  the  froe  and  shaved  to  proper 


284  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

thickness.  Young  Streeter's  knowledge  of  making  shingles 
here  came  in  place,  and  there  was  plenty  of  good  shingle 
timber  within  four  or  five  miles.  He  bought  trees  in  the 
timber,  cut  them  down,  sawed  them  into  blocks  on  Satur- 
days, and  hired  them  hauled  to  town.  He  then  had  work 
for  every  spare  hour.  His  shingles  were  in  demand,  he  was 
a  "building  contractor"  as  far  as  shipping  shingles  was 
concerned.  In  this  way  he  earned  the  means  to  attend 
Knox  College  for  about  three  years. 

In  January,  1849,  he  quit  school,  joined  the  great  emi- 
gration to  California,  buying  one-third  of  an  outfit  drawn 
by  an  ox  team.  The  company  started  in  March,  arriving 
in  California  the  following  September.  On  this  long  route 
he  turned  Nimrod  again,  his  early  hunting  experience  gave 
him  position  in  supplying  the  commissary  department  of  the 
expedition.  He  remained  in  California  until  January, 
1851,  mining  and  trading,  coming  back  to  Galesburg  via 
Panama. 

In  1853  he  drove  a  herd  of  young  cattle  from  Galesburg 
to  California  for  a  market,  and  sold  them  as  soon  as  he 
arrived  there,  and  returned  by  steamer  in  the  winter  of 
1853.  In  1854  he  bought  another  drove,  went  through 
and  sold  them,  and  returned  in  1855,  making  a  profitable 
venture  in  both  his  California  trips. 

On  his  return  he  bought  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of 
land,  where  he  has  since  lived,  two  miles  northwest  of  New 
Windsor,  in  Mercer  county.  This  purchase  at  that  time 
was  surrounded  by  a  wide  range  of  grazing  lands,  and  he 
bought  with  a  view  of  making  a  stock  farm.  He  stocked 
up  the  farm  and  has  been  raising  stock  ever  since,  adding  to 
his  farm  and  grazing  land  until  now  he  owns  near  4,000 
acres,  and  another  farm  in  Missouri  of  1,600  acres.  The 


HON.    ALSON    J.    STKEETER.  285 

farm  is  mostly  grazing  land  and  is  stocked  to  its  full 
capacity.  His  herds  are  now  almost  as  numerous  as  Abra- 
ham's on  the  plains  of  Harare,  comprising  seventy-five  head 
of  full-blooded  Short  Horns  and  five  hundred  head  of  high 
grade  cattle,  eighty  horses,  four  hundred  stock  hogs,  and 
other  live  stock,  managed  by  his  son  Frank,  a  young  man 
of  wonderful  executive  ability,  who  now  has  sole  charge  and 
gives  direction  to  the  farm  and  stock  matters.  He  is  con- 
tinually preparing  stock  for  market,  and  his  sales  off  the 
farm  last  year  were  over  $25,000.  A  model  farmer  —  a 
successful  stock  grower  indeed. 

When  attending  school  Mr.  Streeter  possessed  a  fertile 
imagination,  was  a  ready  speaker  in  the  college  discussions, 
but  for  many  years  afterwards,  being  so  absorbed  in  trade 
and  the  improvement  of  his  farm,  did  not  cultivate  his  talent 
much.  He  was  an  extensive  reader,  well  advised  in  regard 
to  the  questions  of  the  day,  and  commenced  his  public  life 
by  serving  several  terms  on  the  county  board  of  supervisors. 

Before  the  war  he  was  a  democrat,  and  during  the  war  a 
war  democrat.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  raising  of 
troops  and  was  in  demand  to  speak  at  war  meetings.  He 
was  an  active  "Home  Guard,"  aiding  by  his  voice  and  sub- 
stance in  forwarding  men  to  the  front,  and  he  bent  all  his 
energies  to  the  work.  The  days  were  too  short  for  him, 
and  he  often  worked  half  the  night.  Labor  could  with 
difficulty  be  obtained,  and  the  more  necessary  it  was  for 
him  to  exert  himself.  The  war  passed,  he  had  done  his 
duty  in  time  and  means,  and  his  farm  work  engrossed  his 
attention. 

In  1872  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature.  On  taking 
his  seat  he  was  placed  on  the  committee  on  education  and 
agriculture,  and  took  an  active  part  in  shaping  the  railroad 


286 

legislation  at  that  session,  especially  the  law  "to  prevent 
extortion  and  unjust  discrimination."  That  legislature 
also  authorized  the  revision  of  our  statutes. 

About  this  time  the  "Granger  Movement"  was  sweep- 
ing over  the  land,  and  he  joined,  it.  He  has  been  a  granger 
in  principle  since  childhood. 

In  1873-74  he  severed  all  his  old  party  affiliations, 
thinking  the  best  interest  of  the  country,  and  especially  of 
the  industrial  classes,  was  in  organizing  a  new  political 
party  —  a  party  of  positive  convictions  on  the  labor  ques- 
tion, and  a  protection  against  the  aggressions  of  organized 
capital.  He  has  always  been  with  the  minority  party,  and 
remained  there  when  the  inducement  to  come  over  was 
held  out  by  the  majority.  Perhaps  'he  may  always  Nbe  in 
the  minority,  but  be  that  as  it  may,  an  active  and  vigilant 
minority  is  one  of  the  best  safe-guards  the  people  can  have. 
The  grange  movement  prepared  the  way  for  the  National 
party,  since  called  the  Greenback  party.  Mr.  Streeter  was 
earnestly  engaged  in  the  formative  period  of  that  move- 
ment, attended  the  National  Convention  at  Indianapolis, 
in  1876,  that  nominated  Peter  Cooper,  and  since  then  has 
attended  the  conventions  of  that  party,  both  state  and 
national.  In  1878  he  was  the  greenback  candidate  for 
congress  in  the  tenth  congressional  district;  Hon.  D.  P. 
Phelps,  of  Warren  county,  was  the  democratic  candidate, 
and  Hon.  B.  F.  Marsh,  of  Hancock,  the  republican  candi- 
date. '  The  only  real  issue  in  the  district  was  the  financial 
issue.  He  prepared  for  the  canvass,  threw  the  glore, 
launched  his  gauntlet  at  both  his  competitors,  bu£  neither 
would  join  issue,  both  claiming  to  be  genuine  greenbackers, 
even  better  than  Streeter  was,  thus  "  out  Heroding  Herod 
himself,"  claiming  to  discount  him  in  presenting  his  own 


HOX.    ALSON    J.    STREETER.  287 

principles.  This  gave  the  anomaly  of  three  candidates  in 
the  same  district  all  professing  to  be  greenbackers.  Mr. 
Streeter  received  3,600  votes  and  the  others  near  7,000 
each,  Marsh  receiving  a  small  plurality.  Mr.  Streeter's 
able  canvass  gave  him  prominence,  and  in  1880  he  was  pre- 
sented at  the  Greenback  State  Convention  as  the  candidate 
for  governor,  and  spent  four  months  in  canvassing  the 
state,  speaking  once,  sometimes  twice  every  day.  He 
received  28,808  votes,  3,000  more  than  was  given  to  Gen. 
Weaver  for  president  the  same  year  on  the  same  ticket,  the 
largest  vote  ever  polled  by  that  organization  in  the  state. 

Since  1880  he  has  spent  considerable  time  in  addressing 
public  meetings,  mostly  in  Illinois  and  Iowa,  on  the  subject 
of  finance  and  transportation.  He  has  given  his  services 
freely,  never  asking  pay,  but  in  some  cases  his  expenses 
have  been  paid  when  he  was  not  a  candidate  himself,  and 
has  been  liberal  in  his  means  in  aid  of  advancing  and  pro- 
moting the  principles  of  the  National  party.  Ever  since 
1874  he  has  been  active  in  the  political  field,  both  state  and 
national,  and  when  not  in  active  campaign  work  has  written 
many  articles  for  the  press  in  advocacy  of  His  principles, 
and  if  life  and  health  continues,  his  work  in  this  direction 
is  not  done. 

By  birth,  education  and  principles  his  sympathies  are 
all  with  the  masses  —  the  laboring  men,  and  although  a 
majority  of  the  people  have  not  yet  appreciated  his  efforts, 
still  he  will  work  on,  even  if  not  rewarded  by  success. 

Mr.  Streeter  puts  the  matter  rather  tersely  and  to  the 
point  in  some  of  his  public  addresses,  to  which  we  have 
listened  and  given  a  synopsis  to  the  press :  "  If  I  had 
taken  the  other  side,  and  in  time  of  the  war,  instead  of  put- 
ting money  into  lands  on  which  to  raise  cattle  and  grain, 


288  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

meat  and  bread,  for  the  army,  I  had  put  my  money  into 
bonds  and  started  a  national  bank,  and  thereby  drawn 
double  interest  on  my  money  invested,  and  then  obtained 
one  or  two  railroad  charters  and  then  fooled  the  people 
along  the  line  into  the  belief  that  I  was  their  friend,  desir- 
ing to  build  a  railroad  for  their  special  benefit,  and  by 
this  deception  persuaded  them  into  the  belief  that  it  was 
for  the  advancement  of  their  interests  and  not  mine,  that 
they  give  the  right  of  way,  and  take  stock  enough  to 
build  half  or  two-thirds  of  the  whole  road,  and  when 
they  had  done  it,  cheat  them  out  of  the  whole,  take 
the  road  to  myself  and  then  claim  the  right  to  fix  the 
rates  for  transportation  at  what  the  traffic  would  bear, 
I  say  if  I  had  taken  this  course  there  is  no  telling 
what  I  now  would  be  rated  at  financially,  possibly  a 
millionaire.  In  1878,  when  contraction  of  the  currency  had 
forced  prices  down  to  the  ragged  edge  of  despair,  when  farm- 
ers were  making  nothing  because  corn  was  selling  at  twenty 
and  twenty-five  cents  per  bushel,  and  hogs  at  two  or  two 
and  a  quarter  cents  per  pound,  when  the  land  was  filled 
with  tramps,  and  labor  was  a  drug  in  the  market,  when 
able  bodied  men  were  a  nuisance  that  some  said  should  be 
abated  by  bullets,  I  then  saw  in  the  railroad  commissioners' 
reports  that  the  railroads  of  Illinois  were  THEN  making 
more  money  'than  they  ever  did  when  times  were  good. 
We  were  making  nothing,  the  railroads  were  setting  the 
lawful  rates  at  defiance  everywhere  and  making  all  the 
money. 

I  made  complaint  to  the  commission,  made  specific 
charges,  others  joined  with  me,  charging  that  the  C.,  B.  & 
Q.,  on  which  we  resided,  and  over  which  we  shipped  our 
stock  and  produce,  were  overcharging  us  on  everything.  This 
correspondence  ran  on  for  six  months ;  the  commission  found 
the  charges  true,  but  finally  refused  to  prosecute,  and  the 
robbery  went  on.  Since  then  I  have  made  my  complaints 
from  time  to  time  for  overcharge,'  but  in  no  case  did  the 
commissioners  enter  proceedings  according  to  law," 


HON.   ALSON    J.    STREETER  289 

Several  of  these  complaints  were  made  in  the  past  year, 
and  the  correspondence  with  the  Railroad  Commission  is 
found  in  the  Western  Rural.  Mr.  Streeter  continues :  ulf 
any  one  thinks  I  am  unfriendly  to  railroads  they  are  mis- 
taken. I  have  helped,  by  influence  and  with  my  means,  to 
build  the  roads,  and  would  do  it  again ;  and  should  any 
means  be  adopted  that  would  in  the  least  cripple  their  effi- 
ciency I  would  be  the  first  to  propose  relief." 

There  is  nothing  brilliant  in  Mr.  Streeter's  style  of  ora- 
tory. He  uses  common  language  to  give  force  to  his  argu- 
ments, and  the  audience  always  understand  that  he  is  in 
earnest  and  means  just  what  he  says.  This  forcefulness  is 
the  key  to  the  fact  that  when  he  is  a  candidate  himself  he 
always  polls  more  votes  than  any  other  name  on  the  ticket. 
In  energy  there  is  always  the  pressure  of  a  steam  engine  to 
do  just  what  he  undertakes,  and  it  has  been  the  ruling 
principle  of  his  life.  When  a  boy,  as  a  trapper,  hunter  or 
fisherman,  he  did  with  his  might  what  he  could  to  develop 
the  business  and  turn  the  proceeds  into  the  family  excheq- 
uer. As  an  ox-driver,  turning  over  the  tough  sod  of  the 
Illinois  prairies,  he  was  content  to  stand  in  his  lot.  When 
the  few  months7  attendance  at  school  was  doled  out  to  him 
in  the  Inlet  log  school  house,  ahe  improved  each  shining 
hour."  Then  when  attaining  his  majority,  the  age  of  free- 
dom from  parental  control,  higher  aspirations  seized  him, 
he  took  his  way  across  the  boundless  prairie  to  seek  the 
classic  shades  of  Knox  college,  arriving  there  only  to  find 
that  he  could  not  exercise  his  brawn  and  strength  to  pay 
his  way.  He  bravely  entered,  "took  his  chances"  on 
getting  employment  to  earn  money  to  pay  the  rent  of  his 
garret  and  for  his  scant  store  of  provisions,  and  when  vaca- 
tion came,  boldly  going  to  the  harvest  fields  to  swing  the 

19 


290  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

cradle  and  scythe  to  earn,  at  good  wages,  a  store  of  wealth 
to  pay  expenses  through  the  next  term ;  then  the  discov- 
ery that  an  old  art,  a  skill  learned  when  he  was  a  mere 
child  —  a  handicraft  as  a  shingle-maker  —  would  earn  him 
ample  means  to  pay  his  way  through  college,  shows  the 
indomitable .  perseverance  that  has  since  characterized  him 
as  a  man.  His  California  ventures  were  all  attended  with 
a  measure  of  success  and  the  proceeds  carefully  saved, 
and  when  sufficient  accumulations  were  earned  carefully 
and  with  great  prudence  invested  in  lands  and  as  suc- 
cess has  attended  him  since  from  year  to  year,  the  same 
judgment  and  prudence  has  guided  him.  The  balance 
sheet  has  been  kept  in  his  favor  both  financially  and  mor- 
ally, he  standing  among  the  elders  in  the  church,  aiding  all 
the  moral  reforms  of  the  age,  and  a  member  of  several  be- 
nevolent organizations,  having  in  one  attained  the  degree  of 
Royal  Arch  Mason.  In  his  three  long  tedious  and  perilous 
trips  to  California  are  woven  many  incidents  and  reminis- 
cences, of  dangers  encountered,  escapes*  from  Indians,  pri- 
vations, hardships,  and  his  return  by  the  Panama  or 
isthmus  route,  full  of  perils  to  health  and  life,  all  would  fill 
a  volume  that  would  read  like  romance,  yet  true  in  every 
particular. 

We  present  him  as  the  representative,  recognized  as  such 
by  the  organization,  of  the  National  Greenback  party  of  the 
state,  and  also  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and  stock- 
growers,  whose  accumulations  have  been  so  wisely  invested 
in  land,  giving  him  one  of  the  finest  and  most  improved 
domains  in  the  state. 


EDWARD  A.  GILLER. 

MASTER  OF   ILLINOIS  STATE  GRANGE. 

Near  fifteen  years  ago  a  movement,  sustained  by  many 
prominent  and  influential  farmers  of  this  state,  was  organ- 
ized for  social,  educational  and  business  purposes.  Like  a 
great  many  other  movements  that  grew  into  national  im- 
portance the  Grange  organization  was  -at  first  only  local  in 
its  benefits  pecuniarily,  socially,  and  in  a  business  point  of 
view,  but  soon  the  advantages  of  united  action  were  recog- 
nized and  made  so  evident  that  larger  and  greater  efforts 
were  made  to  make  the  organization  since  known  as  the 
"  Patrons  of  Husbandry,"  the  combined  membership  under 
one  head  called  "  The  Grange,"  and  a  single  member  called 
a  "  Granger  "  and  collectively  called  "  Grangers." 

It  was  thought  on  its  first  inception  that  it  was  the 
popular  movement  of  the  day,  and  meant  in  the  near  future 
the  political  ascendency  of  those  who  could  commend  them- 
selves to  the  masses  by  their  activity  for  the  "  good  of  the 
Order,"  and  thousands  came  into  the  movement,  hoping  that 
this  flood-tide  of  popular  favor  would  carry  them  forward 
to  preferment,  place,  power,  positions  of  trust,  political  pat- 
ronage and  "  spoils  and  plunder."  A  few  did  get  official 
positions,  and  it  was  found  that  they  were  no  better  than 
the  professed  party-spoils  men.  This  result  did  not  give 
assurance  that  the  farmers'  movement  could  be  used  as  a 
political  factor,  and  soon  the  office-hunting  hangers-on  were 


292  FIFTY  TEAKS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

not  found  in  their  accustomed  places,  and  "  the  places  that 
knew  them  knew  them  no  more  forever." 

In  the  course  of  three  or  four  years  the  Grange  move- 
ment was  happily  rid  of  this  brawling  class  of  office-hunt- 
ing political  dead-beats,  and  men  of  stability  and  character 
came  to  the  front  in  their  organization.  Among  that  num- 
ber is  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  Edward  A.  Giller,  master 
of  the  Illinois  State  Grange  of  the  "  Patrons  of  Hus- 
bandry," who  was  born  at  Manchester,  England,  September 
llth,  1821,  who  came  to  Illinois  in  his  twenty-first  year, 
having  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the  carriage-painting 
business  in  his  father's  manufactory,  besides  being  a  very 
good  worker  in  wood  at  the  same  business.  His  educa- 
tional opportunities  were  limited  to  reading,  writing  and 
a  slight  acquaintance  with  mathematics. 

After  arriving  in  New  York  he  came  to  Pittsburg  and 
visited  some  cousins  there,  then  took  passage  on  a  steamer 
for  St.  Louis,  and  from  there  found  his  way  to  Greene 
county,  this  state,  hired  out  to  a  farmer  at  five  dollars  per 
month,  and  to  "  do  his  own  washing  and  mending."  He  says 
he  did  not  get  rich  at  this,  but  saved  money  enough  so  that 
in  the  spring  of  1844  he  went  to  the  Galena  lead  mines. 
Again  "  he  did  not  strike  it  rich,"  and  in  the  following  fall 
went  to  New  Orleans,  was  unsuccessful  in  finding  employ- 
ment, and  came  back  to  Natchez  and  spent  the  winter,  took 
a  job  of  cutting  cord  wood  at  seventy-five  cents  per  cord, 
and  had  just  five  dollars  —  a  family  souvenir —  in  his  pocket 
when  he  struck  the  job,  and  saved  enough  to  not  be  under 
the  necessity  of  spending  his  pocket  piece,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1845  came  back  to  Whitehall.  Here  he  resumed  the 
business  he  had  learned  when  a  boy ;  painted  signs  and 
any  other  work  of  that  kind  that  came  to  his  hand. 


EDWARD    A.    GILLER.  293 

worked  at  wagon  and  carriage  making,  was  in  fact  a  "gen- 
eral utility  man,"  until  the  Mexican  war  broke  out  in  May, 
1846.  By  this  time  he  had  become  thoroughly  "  Yankee- 
ized ;"  the  sound  of  "  Yankee  Doodle  "  fired  his  patriotic 
blood  and  he  volunteered  for  the  war,  as  he  expresses  it, 
"thinking  that  I  was  just  the  right  kind  of  material  to  be 
shot  at." 

He  enlisted  in  the  First  Regiment  Illinois  Foot  Vol- 
unteers, commanded  by  the  gallant  John  J.  Hardin,  and 
mustered  into  service  at  Alton,  June  23d  of  that  year.  He 
was  elected  sergeant-major  of  the  regiment,  and  gave  to 
the  duties  of  that  position  the  attention  and  industry 
necessary  to  a  faithful  performance  of  its  duties.  In  this 
regiment  we  remember  also  tbe  names  of  Wm.  A.  Richard- 
son, afterwards  United  States  senator ;  T.  Lyle  Dickey,  Col. 
Fourth  Regiment  Cavalry,  in  1861 ;  W.  H.  L.  Wallace, 
who  fell  gallantly  fighting  at  Pittsburg  Landing  in  the  late 
war,  and  Benj.  M.  Prentiss,  also  holding  important  com- 
mand in  the  rebellion.  He  participated  in  the  hardships  of 
the  voyage  down  the  Mississippi  by  steamboat  to  New  Or- 
leans, and  from  there  across  the  gulf  to  Camp  Erwin,  near 
Victoria,  Texas.  From  thence  the  regiment  marched  across 
the  country  to  San  Antonio,  under  the  rays  of  a  tropical 
.sun,  and  joined  Gen.  Wool's  army  of  the  center.  Septem- 
ber 26th  they  left  that  city,  marching  steadily  forward, 
reaching  Santa  Rosa  on  the  24th  of  October,  with  no 
opposition.  Thence  the  regiment  marched  to  Monclova, 
and  from  there  to  Parras,  Mexico.  After  remaining  at 
this  place  twelve  days,  General  Wool  started  to  intercept 
Santa  Anna,  to  divert  or  prevent  his  attack  on  Monterey, 
and  on  the  21st  of  December  occupied  Agua  Nueva,  thus 
•completing  .a  six  weeks7  march  of  one  thousand  miles. 


294 

They  rested  here  till  in  January,  1847,  when  Gen.  Taylor 
formed  a  junction  with  Gen.  Wool.  The  united  forces  of 
Taylor  and  Wool  marched  in  search  of  the  Mexicans,  and 
the  usual  maneuvering  of  both  armies,  either  to  bring  on 
or  prevent  a  battle,  was  performed  until  the,  22d  day  of 
February,  when  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista  was  commenced 
by  the  Mexicans  with  a  force  of  20,000  men,  the  American 
force  being  about  7,000.  The  battle  was  ended  on  the  23d 
in  a  complete  but  dearly  won  victory  for  the  Americans, 
Hardin's  and  BisselPs  regiments  covering  themselves  with 
glory.  Mr.  Giller  was  engaged  in  this  battle,  his  duties 
calling  him  to  the  side  of  Col.  Hardin,  "  that  warm-hearted, 
generous,  impulsive  man, —  nature's  nobleman,  and  the 
bravest  of  the  brave."  In  describing  the  incidents  in  the 
battle,  as  it  progressed,  Major  Giller  says : 

"  Well  do  I  remember  his  last  words  to  me, —  they  are 
engraved  indelibly  on  the  tablets  of  my  memory.  It  was 
just  after  the  left  battalion  of  our  regiment  had  charged 
and  routed  a  body  of  Mexicans  who  had  opened  fire  upon  us 
as  we  were  moving  by  the  flank  to  assist  the  Second  Illi- 
nois, who  were  so  sorely  beset  after  the  Indiana  regiment 
fell  back.  He  called  me  to  his  side  just  as  we  were 
starting  from  the  hill  we  had  been  guarding,  which  was 
really  the  key  to  the  position.  At  the  foot  of  this  hill  was 
Washington's  battery.  He  said  to  me  :  '  Major,  you  just 
keep  right  by  me,  so  that  if  I  have  any  orders  to  transmit 
you  can  attend  to  it."  We  had  scattered  the  Mexicans  by 
a  bayonet  charge,  and  down  the  hill  they  went  pell-mell 
with  our  boys  after  them,  and  the  first  thing  we  knew  our 
boys  were  badly  scattered,  and  each  man  or  squad  of  men 
had  more  or  less  Mexican  prisoners.  Col.  Hardin  took  in 
the  situation  at  a  glance.  I  had  remained  at  his  side.  He 
said  to  me,  '  Major,  go  and  order  Capt.  Zabriskie  to  gather 
the  troops  together  and  report  here  immediately;  then 
detail  a  guard  of  two  men  and  take  these  .  prisoners  to 


EDWARD    A.    GILLER.  295 

camp.'  These  were  the  last  words  I  heard  the  brave  man 
utter.  I  obeyed  the  order  at  once,  detailed  Corporals 
Flynn  and  Fisher,  and  after  breaking  the  stocks  of  the  guns 
of  the  prisoners,  I  formed  them  in  line,  placing  Fisher 
near  the  head,  Flynn  near  the  center,  I  bringing  up  the 
rear,  and  we  marched  them  to  camp.  That  order  from  the 
colonel  saved  my  life.  But  for  this  order  I  wotild  have 
been  with  him  in  that  disastrous  charge,  which  proved  so 
fatal  and  took  from  us  Hardin,  Clay,  McKee,  Fletcher,  and 
hosts  of  other  gallant  men  and  brave  soldiers.  The  Mexi- 
can prisoners  we  had  in  charge  were  a  cowardly  set.  When 
delivering  up  their  arms  they  would  fall  down  on  their 
knees  and  beg  for  their  lives, —  they  evidently  thought  we 
were  going  to  kill  them  (perhaps  they  thought  of  the 
Alamo  and  Goliad).  My  fellow-soldier,  Corporal  Flynn, 
was  the  father  of  the  gallant  Col.  Flynn,  now  one  of  Scott 
county's  most  honored  sons." 

Like  most  old  soldiers  Major  Giller  is  fond  of  fighting 
his  battles  o'er  again.  He  tells  of  a  circumstance  that 
came  near  terminating  his  life  and  usefulness  the  day  before 
the  battle : 

"  I  had  been  unwell  some  time  before,  and  Huey,  our 
hospital  steward,  gave  me  by  mistake  two  grains  of  mor- 
phine, instead  of  a  half  grain,  as  directed  by  Surgeon  Pey- 
ton. But  the  mistake  was  discovered  in  time  to  take  a 
neutralizing  medicine;  this  saved  me  from  ( taking  the 
sleep  that  knows  no  waking  ' — the  only  bad  result  being 
that  I  was  very  sore  and  tender  about  my  waist,  so  than  on 
the  days  of  the  battle  I  could  not  wear  my  sword,  but  car- 
ried a  rifle  and  discharged  my  duty  as  a  soldier,  though 
sore  from  the  effects  of  the  opiate." 

With  the  exception  of  sending  out  an  occasional 
foraging  party  his  regiment  performed  no  further  service 
during  the  war.  They  remained  at  Buena  Vista  till  the 
latter  part  of  May,  when  they  marched  for  Camargo  and 
mustered  out  at  that  place  June  17,  1847. 


296  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

He  returned  to  Whitehall  u  safe  and  sound,"  he  was 
popular,  a  Mexican  war  hero,  had  won  the  title  of  "  Major," 
which  sticks  to  him  to  this  day.  He  was  installed  soon 
after  his  return  as  assistant  postmaster  at  Whitehall,  the 
postmaster,  Judge  Worcester,  having  been  elected  to  the 
Constitutional  Convention  of  1847.  When  the  judge 
returned  Major  Giller  went  to  work  at  his  trade,  received 
three  hundred  dollars  per  year  and  his  board,  he  was  pru- 
dent and  economical,  and  saved  from  this  two  hundred  and 
seventy-six  dollars.  This  was  a  credit  mark  from  which  to 
start  on  life's  journey,  and  March  1,  1848,  was  married  to 
Miss  Ladd,  a  daughter  of  Timothy  Ladd,  who  was  born  on 
the  farm  now  owned  by  Major  Giller,  March  3,  1830. 

He  bought  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land,  went 
in  debt  one  thousand  dollars,  improved  his  farm  by  day 
and  worked  in  the  shop  till  late  e.very  night  and  on  rainy 
days.  His  wife  was  a  farmer's  daughter,  and  in  the  Major's 
concise  way  of  putting  things,  "  both  worked  like  heroes  — 
result,  got  out  of  debt,  kept  buying  more  land,"  until  now 
his  home,  the  original  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  has 
enlarged,  swelled  out  by  "  accretions  "  honestly  bought  and 
paid  for,  to  five  hundred  acres  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
tile  drained  throughout,  and  worth  one  hundred  dollars  per 
acre,  is  stocked  with  finest  improved  breeds  of  horses,  mules, 
cattle,  sheep,  and  swine.  In  addition  to  it  owns  another 
large  farm  of  near  five  hundred  acres,  two  and  one-half 
miles  from  Roodhouse  and  three  miles  from  Whitehall, 
and  occupied  by  one  of  his  sons,  and  equally  well  improved 
by  tiling,  well  stocked  and  worth  one  hundred  dollars  per 
acre.  His  and  Mrs.  Giller's  married  life  has  been  blessed, 
by  "increasing  and  multiplying"  in  accordance  with  Divine 
injunction,  with  eleven  children.  Three  died  young,  and 


EDWARD    A.    GILLER.  297 


the  oldest  son,  Marcus  Robert,  died  three  years  ago  aged 
thirty  years,  has  seven  still  living,  four  boys  and  three  girls. 
Oldest  daughter  married,  resides  in  Morris  county,  Kansas, 
with  her  husband,  have  twelve  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of 
land,  making  stock  growing  their  business.  They  have 
two  children.  Major  Ciller's  oldest  son,  George  Alfred, 
resides  near  Kirksville,  Missouri,  owns  five  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  and  rents  three  hundred  acres  more ;  engaged 
in  the  stock  and  dairy  business.  This  son  has  three  children. 
Next  son,  Charles  H.  resides  on  the  Roodhouse  farm 
mentioned,  and  has  one  child.  The  next  son,  William  M., 
is  "climbing  the  hill  of  science,"  attending  school  at  Ann 
Arbor,  Michigan,  and  bids  fair  to  turn  his  various  attain- 
ments to  good  account.  One  son,  Edward  A.,  aged  ten,  "  a 
chip  of  the  old  block,"  and  two  daughters,  aged  fourteen 
and  eighteen  are  at  home,  all  bright,  healthy  children.  None 
of  the  masculine  portion  of  this  healthy  and  muscular  fam- 
ily use  any  beverage  that  will  intoxicate,  or  tobacco  in  any 
form,  thus  assisting  to  bring  the  beer  and  tobacco  trade  to 
an  end.  None  of  the  members  of  this  model  family  are 
connected  by  membership  with  a  church  organization,  yet 
they  are  strictly  moral,  profanity  being  strictly  inhibited 
from  early  youth.  In  communicating  with  Major  Ciller 
he  informs  the  author  that : 

"  When  the  farmer's  movement  was  first  inaugurated  I 
took  an  active  part  in  it,  but  as  you  are  aware,  it  went  by 
the  board,  too  many  men  had  axes  to  grind— political  and 
personal.  With  others  I  then  went  to  work  and  organized 
a  grange,  and  have  never  regretted  it.  I  was  elected  the 
first  master  of  "Social  Crange  No.  1,308,"  have  served  on 
the  most  important  committees  of  the  state  grange  for  a 
number  of  years,  and  in  January,  1882,  was  elected  Master 
of  the  State  Grange  of  Illinois. 


298  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

"  I  was  opposed  to  keeping  such  men  as  you,  editors, 
authors,  ministers,  school  teachers,  and  representative  men 
from  other  industrial  pursuits  out  of  our  organization;  but 
the  line  had  to  be  drawn  somewhere.  If  we  were  going  to 
get  our  farmers  and  their  wives  to  come  into  the  grange  and 
'  tell  what  they  knew  about  farming,7  they  would  not  do 
it  if  persons  so  much  better  qualified  with  the  gift  of 
speech  than  themselves  were  present,  and  the  result  proves 
that  the  founders  of  our  order  (  builded  better  than  they 
knew.'  The  subject  is  a  theme  that  opens  up  such  a  wide 
field  for  thought  and  discussion  it  would  take  a  chapter  to 
give  it." 

Major  Giller  has  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  in  an  eminent  degree.  Has  been  treasurer  of  his 
township  for  over  thirty  years,  has  made  life  a  grand  suc- 
cess, and  ascribes  the  greater  credit  of  it  to  his  excellent 
wife,  whose  benevolent  countenance  sheds  the  beams  of  its 
benignant  rays  over  the  home  in  resplendent  love  and  care 
for  all  present.  His  farming  operations  have  been  con- 
ducted systematically,  the  best  implements,  the  best  system 
of  drainage  and  tiling,  the  best  improved  stock  and  the  best 
grains.  He  says  in  describing  his  success  in  raising  corn, 
"  I  have  not  failed  in  raising  a  crop  of  corn  in  thirty-three 
years.  I  have  land  that  has  cleared  me  one  hundred  dol- 
lars per  acre  above  all  expenses  in  three  years.  No  guess 
work  about  it;  mark  you,  I  speak  from  the  book."  A 
granger,  truly  "  in  whom  there  is  no  guile/*  a  representa- 
tive man  of  his  class  in  this  state.  It  is  not  wonderful 
that  the  grangers  are  showing  an  increased  membership, 
having  added  six  hundred  during  the  last  year. 

We  make  short  extracts  from  his  annual  address  deliv- 
ered at  the  meeting  of  the  State  Grange  at  Decatur,  in  Jan- 
uary : 


EDWARD     A.    GILLER.  299 

u  During  the  past  year  I  have  visited  different  portions 
of  the  state  and  in  every  instance  have  received  a  most 
cordial  welcome.  From  careful  observation  I  am  led  to  the 
conclusion  that  the  organization  in  this  state  is  on  a  much 
firmer  foundation  than  ever  before,  and  the  work  it  is  ac- 
complishing is  of  such  a  character  that  it  is  making  an  im- 
pression for  good  in  every  neighborhood  where  there  is  a 
prosperous  grange.  The  novelty  of  the  grange  movement 
has  passed  away.  Those  who  become  members  now  do  so 
from  principle,  and  become  earnest  workers  in  the  cause. 
They  are  composed  of  earnest  men  and  women  who  are  de- 
sirous of  educating  themselves  and  elevating  their  calling, 
so  that  those  now  entering  upon  the  stage  of  action  will  not 
be  ashamed  to  own  that  they  are  the  sons  and  daughters  of 
American  farmers. 

"  The  great  question  of  transportation  is  one  that  ought 
to  call  forth  our  most  earnest  thought.  Rivers,  canals  and 
railroads  are  to  the  nation  what  the  arteries  are  to  the 
human  body  —  the  channels  through  which  the  life-blood 
courses — and  we  ought  to  do  everything  in  our  power  to  pro- 
tect them.  We  have  been  unjustly  charged  with  being 
enemies  to  railroads,  when  in  truth  we  are  their  greatest 
friends.  Time*will  show  that  the  legislation  brought  about 
by  our  efforts  will  prove  to  them  a  blessing  in  disguise. 
The  American  people  will  tolerate  no  masters.  They,  and 
they  alone  must  be  the  sovereigns,  and  the  question  had  to 
be  solved  as  to  whether  the  CREATOR  or  the  CREATURE 
should  be  supreme.  If  the  decision  of  the  courts  are  only 
'  followed  by  wise  legislation  all  will  be  well.  It  was  well  for 
these  huge  corporations  that  it  was  so  settled.  We  are  desir- 
ous that  capital  shall  have  its  fair  share  of  the  profits,  but 
THERE  we  stop.  The  grange  is  not  opposed  to  railroads, 
but  is  opposed  to  all  extortions  and  monopolies.  On  this 
question  you  are  expected  to  speak  in  no  uncertain  tones. 
The  best  thought  of  the  members  should  be  given  to  this 
as  well  as  all  other  important  matters.  , 

"  Progression  is  the  order  of  the  day.  After  the  farm- 
ers' boy  or  girl  leaves  school  they  need  some  place  of  meet- 


300 

ing  where  they  can  use  the  lessons  they  have  learned,  and 
what  place  more  appropriate  than  the  Grange.  Here  they 
can  train  themselves  to  preside  over  any  deliberative  body, 
and  educate  themselves  to  vote  intelligently  on  the  different 
questions  that  arise ;  and  here,  too,  the  sisters  get  that  train- 
ing which  enables  them  to  teach  the  rising  generation  cor- 
rectly. Every  farmer's  wife  and  daughter  in  the  land,  if 
alive  to  their  best  interests,  ought,  if  possible,  to  be  a  live, 
active  member  of  the  Grange.  No  other  organization  treats 
her  so  fairly  and  justly,  and  in  it  she  is  a  tower  of  strength, 
if  for  educational  purposes  only.  No  neighborhood  that 
wishes  to  keep  up  with  the  times  can  afford  to  be  without 
an  active  Grange  organization." 

Major  Giller  is  a  poet.  His  effusions  are  clear  cut,  as 
natural  and  original  as  the  products  springing  from  the  soil 
of  his  fertile  farms.  They  grace  the  periodicals  of  the  day 
that  are  fortunate  enough  to  secure  him  as  a  contributor, 
and  are  always  sought  for  as  desirable  contributions  to 
the  literature  of  the  day.  We  give  two  verses  that  close 
very  appropriately  his  annual  address : 

"Step  to  the  front,  then,  ye  men  who  have  nerve, 

Step  to  the  front,  then,  ye  women  50  true; 
For  brave  men  and  women  there  always  is  work, 
If  we  only  are  willing  our  duty  to  do. 

"  The  giants  of  old  were  as  naught  when  compared 

With  the  foes  who  at  present  the  toilers  must  fight:  , 

Then  '  up  guards  and  at  them,'  ere  yet  'tis  too  late, 
In  the  van  let  the  Patrons  strive  for  the  right." 

At  the  last  state  fair  at  Peoria,  through  Major  Giller's 
industrious  efforts,  a  large  tent  pavilion  was  erected  at  a 
central  and  convenient  locality  on  the  fair  grounds,  as  the 
headquarters  of  the  organization,  and  there  the  author  had 
the  pleasure  of  meeting  representative  members  of  the 
Order  from  all  parts  of  the  state.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 


EDWARD     A.    GILLER.  301 

this  feature  will  be  continued  at  the  fairs  hereafter.  Let 
the  pavilion  be  spread  larger  and  broader.  The  needs  of 
the  organization  will  justify  it,  and  the  "  good  of  the 
order  "  throughout  the  state  demand  it. 

The  following  list  of  prominent  farmers  throughout  the 
state  compose  the  Deputy  Masters  of  the  State  Grange  of 
Illinois,  appointed  by  Hon.  Edward  A.  Giller,  Master: 

Henry  Burner,  Robinson,  Crawford  Co. ;  W.  C.  Trott, 
Bloomington,  McLean  Co. ;  T.  J.  Baldwin,  Whitehall, 
Greene  Co. ;  James  Knight,  Harrisburg,  Saline  Co. ;  Sam- 
uel Gordon,  Dunlap,  Peoria  Co. ;  H.  G.  W.  Whittenberg, 
Richview,  Washington  Co.;  A.  J.  Sweezy,  Rockford, 
Winnebago  Co.;  E.  G.  Patterson,  Mattoon,  Coles  Co.; 
L.  J.  Nifong,  Girard,  Macoupin  Co. ;  Geo.  W.  English, 
New  Salem,  Pike  Co. ;  A.  T.  Strange,  Walshville,  Mont- 
gomery Co. ;  George  Ball,  Girard,  Macoupin  Co. ;  G.  M. 
Curtiss,  Nora,  Jo  Daviess  Co.;  tiorace  Wells,  Virden, 
Macoupin  Co.;  Wm.  H.  H.  Holdridge,  Tonica,  LaSalle 
Co.;  J.  E.  Bradley,  Hammond,  Moultrie  Co.;  Oliver 
Wilson,  Magnolia,  Putnam  Co. ;  Silas  Andrus,  Mount 
Carmel,  Wabash  Co. ;  M.  M.  Stookey,  Birkner,  St.  Clair 
Co.;  Thomas  Buckle,  Villa  Ridge,  Pulaski  Co.;  S.  J. 
Davis,  DuQuoin,  Perry  Co. ;  Thos.  Hawes,  Downs,  McLean 
Co.;  C.  H.  Frost,  Gaff,  Douglas  Co.;  H.  Vanderhoff,  New-. 
ton,  Jasper  Co. ;  James  McGrew,  Xenia,  Wayne  Co. 


CORNWALL   KIRKPATRICK. 


ARTIST,   MODELER   AND    MANUFACTURER. 


a  As  clay  in  the  hands  of  the  potter/7  is  impressed  on 
our  minds  when  called  to  contemplate  the  skill  required, 
the  scientific  knowledge  to  properly  blend  the  material,  the 
component-  parts  in  the  formation  of  the  many  articles,  use- 
ful and  ornamental,  that  are  fashioned  into  shape'  and 
comeliness  by  the  ingenuity  of  those  skilled  in  the  potter's 
art.  It  requires  a  genius  for  conception  rarely  concentrated 
in  one  mind,  a  fertility  of  imagination  to  create  and  direct  all 
the  fantastic  shapes  required  in  modeling  the  porcelain  and 
stoneware  clays  of  Illinois.  But  this  combination  of  skill 
in  this  —  one  of  the  great  industries  of  the  country  —  is 
ibund  fully  developed  in  one  of  the  leading  manufacturers 
of  this  state  —  a  man  whom  from  his  enterprise  and  public 
spirit  is  a  public  benefactor,  not  only  of  his  own  part  of  the 
.state,  but  of  the  whole  country. 

Cornwall  Kirkpatrick  was  born  at  Frederickton,  Knox 
county,  Ohio,  December  23rd,  1814,  his  parents  soon  after 
removing  to  Urbana  in  that  state.  He  had  few  educational 
advantages,  leaving  home  and  school  at  twelve  years  of  age 
to  learn  the  business  that  he  has  through  much  labor  and 
constant  application  finally  made  such  a  great  success. 

He  was  married  January  1,  1839,  to  the  eldest  daughter 
of  Capt.  Alexander  Vance,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  soon 


CORNWALL    KIRKPATRICK.  303 

after  built  a  pottery  at  Covington,  Ky.,  and  remained  there 
until  1848,  when  he  sold  out.  While  at  Covington  he 
served  two  terms  in  the  city  council.  He  then  moved  to 
Point  Pleasant,  Ohio,  bought  a  large  pottery,  and  as  a  resi- 
dence bought  the  historical  house  of  that  place,  in  which 
Gen.  Grant  was  born.  His  establishment  was  burned  by 
an  incendiary  fire  November  30,  1851,  and  he  immediately 
set  about  rebuilding,  and  by  the  first  of  February  following 
commenced  business  in  his  new  place,  which  he  had  built 
most  substantially  of  stone,  immediately  on  the  banks  of  the 
Ohio  river. 

In  the  fall  of  1853  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Cincin- 
nati, engaged  in  manufacturing  ware  in  the  Fulton  pottery 
for  the  following  four  years,  and  served  two  terms  in  the 
city  council  from  the  Seventeenth  ward.  He  sold  out  at 
Cincinnati  in  December,  1857,  and  removed  to  Mound  City, 
Illinois,  and  built  and  operated  the  Mound  City  Pottery, 
managed  by  a  manufacturing  company  that,  through  finan- 
cial mismanagement  of  parties  who  handled  the  funds, 
proved  an  unfortunate  venture. 

On  the  first  of  November,  1859,  in  company  with  his 
brother  Wallace  Kirkpatrick,  he  removed  to  Anna,  Union 
county,  and  built  pottery  works,  and  has  since  been  making 
grand  success  in  manufacturing  stoneware  in  all  its  depart- 
ments. 

In  selecting  Anna  as  the  point  for  their  future  extensive 
operations,  the  inducements  were  the  faith  they  had  in  the 
reports  of  the  state  geologist  and  their  own  practical  experi- 
ence, that  they  could  be  fortunate  enough  to  discover  the 
range  of  the  choice  porcelain,  potter's  and  fire  clays 
believed  to  exist  in  unlimited  quantities  in  portions  of 
Union  county.  While  they  were  investigating,  testing  and 


304  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

making  their  experiments  during  the  first  year's  operations 
at  Anna,  they  brought  their  clay  from  Grand  Chain,  on  the 
Ohio  river,  to  Cairo  by  boat,  then  re-loading  it  on  the  cars 
of  the  Illinois  Central,  brought  it  to  Anna.  This  was  ex- 
pensive, and  quickened  their  investigations,  and  in  the 
second  year  of  their  operations  they  discovered  the  exten- 
sive beds  of  porcelain  and  fire  clays  about  four  miles  from 
Anna,  and  since  the  St.  Louis  and  Cairo  Narrow  Guage  R. 
R.  has  been  completed,  Kaolin  Station  is  located  near  their 
clay  banks.  On  making  this  advantageous  discovery  they 
secured,  by  purchase  or  lease,  the  entire  control  of  this 
valuable  product,  and  besides  what  they  use  in  their  own 
manufactory  they  ship  large  quantities  to  Cincinnati  for  the 
manufacture  of  the  white  granite  and  C.  C.  wares,  and  to 
the  iron  and  steel  works  of  Chicago,  Milwaukee,  Cleveland, 
and  to  the  copper  works  at  Detroit,  for  fire  clays,  and  to 
other  places  for  paper  making,  for  paints,  and  for  improving 
the  quality  and  the  weights  of  candies  and  confectionaries. 

These  clay  banks  range  from  twenty-five  to  seventy  feet 
in  thickness,  and  are  found  at  different  places  within  a  radi- 
us of  two  miles,  the  finer  qualities  lying  north  and  the 
coarser  qualities  south,  taking  the  depot  at  Kaolin  as  the 
center ;  one  of  the  principal  pits  being  within  a  few  hundred 
feet  of  the  depot.  It  can  thus  be  seen  at  a  glance  the  in- 
numerable uses  that  these  fine  clays  are  adapted  to.  They 
enter  into  the  composition  of  our  iron  and  steel,  they  com- 
pose part  of  the  amalgam  in  the  composition  when  smelt- 
ing copper,  add  material,  weight  and  quality  to  our  confec- 
tionary, and  enter  into  the  ingredients  from  which  our  paper 
is  made.  A  great  deal  of  our  finest  crockery  (fine  plates, 
cups  and  saucers,  Chinaized,  but  a  long  way  from  China), 
is  manufactured  from  this  product.  The  transmutations  we 


CORNWALL    KIRKPATRICK.  305 

read  of  in  the  "  Arabian  Nights  "  are  as  nothing  compared 
to  the  varied  transformation  of  this  wonderful  clay.  Messrs. 
Kirkpatrick  are  transforming  it  into  gold,  silver,  bank  notes 
and  greenbacks  in  their  business  transactions  every  day  by 
the  same  honest  methods  that  farmers  turn  their  labor  into 
money,  or  as  any  other  of  the  professions,  occupations  and 
industries  honestly  pursued  will  produce  wealth  —  by  hard 
work  and  close  attention  to  business. 

It  is  like  visiting  an  art  studio  to  go  through  their  ex- 
tensive works,  both  of  the  brothers  being  finished  artists  in 
the  accomplishment  of  modeling  the  Kaolin  product  into 
all  kinds  of  beautiful  and  fantastic  shapes.  Seemingly  a 
great  many  of  their  products  are  the  result  of  a  free  fancy, 
take  form  and  shape  for  their  own  amusement  when  first 
conceived,  but  result  very  advantageously  in  discovering 
new  forms  of  beauty  —  or  may  be,  grotesqueness.  It  was 
in  Mr.  Kirkpatrick's  fertile  fancy  that  the  celebrated  Rail- 
road and  River  Guide  originated,  in  the  form  of  a  stone  pig 
bottle,  with  the  map  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  en- 
graved on  one  side.  It  was  only  a  momentary  inspiration 
of  his,  and  the  clay  took  the  form  and  shape  of  a  pig. 
Then  the  railroad  map  was  obtained,  and  the  design  was  so 
unique,  so  apropos,  that  thousands  oj  them  were  manufac- 
tured and  sent  all  over  the  country,  east,  west,  north  and 
south. 

No  man  in  Union  county  is  more  liberal  and  public 
spirited  than  Mr.  Kirkpatrick.  He  gives  time  and  atten- 
tion to  public  interests.  Soon  after  making  Anna  his  home 
he  was  called  into  the  city  council,  and  afterwards  three 
times  in  succession  elected  mayor.  In  1873  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Gov.  Beveridge  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
Southern  Illinois  Insane  Asylum,  located  at  Anna,  and  at 

20 


306  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  organization  of  the  board  was  elected  secretary,  and  he 
still  holds  the  position.  In  him  the  institution  has  found 
one  of  its  most  faithful  guardians.  The  benevolent  orders 
make  him  the  almoner  of  their  bounties.  He  is  treasurer 
and  conductor  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  lodge,  and  secretary  of 
the  Encampment  of  Masonic  lodges. 

Since  the  organization  of  the  Southern  Illinois  Fair  As- 
sociation at  Anna  he  has  had  the  leading  direction  of  its 
affairs  in  the  arrangement  of  the  grounds,  and  his  rare 
judgment  and  taste  will  at  no  distant  day  make  the  fair 
grounds  the  most  attractive  park  in  the  county.  The  artifi- 
cial lake  is  a  very  fine  conception,  and  useful  as  well  as 
ornamental,  as  it  has  furnished  the  citizens  with  clear,  pure 
ice  in  great  abundance  for  summer  use. 

Mr.  Kirkpatrick  frequently  represents  Anna  Lodge  No. 
520,  Masons,  and  Egyptian  chapter  No.  45,  R.  A.  Masons, 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Chapter  at  Springfield  and 
Chicago,  and  for  the  last  fifteen  years  has  been  on  the  com- 
mittee of  chartered  lodges  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Masons. 

In  educational  matters  he  has  always  been  ameng  the 
foremost,  and  in  no  enterprise  that  will  advance  the  inter- 
ests of  the  people  is  he  backward.  He  is  now  in  his  sixty- 
ninth  year,  but  his  business  vigor  is  not  abated.  Ilis  regu- 
larity in  life,  his  equanimity  of  temperament,  his  abstemi- 
ous and  plain  habits  of  living,  using  the  good  things  of  life 
to  add  bodily  vigor,  but  abstaining  from  everything  that 
would  abuse  or  injure  the  natural  powers  he  is  endowed 
with,  will  no  doubt  bring  him  to  the  enjoyment  of  many 
more  years  of  life. 


HON.  LORENZO  D.  WHITING. 

SENIOR  SENATOR,  ILLINOIS  LEGISLATURE. 

If  long  service  in  public  life  be  taken  by  a  legislator  as 
an  approval  of  the  representative's  acts  while  serving  his 
constituents,  then  the  subject  of  our  sketch  stands  forth  as 
the  most  thoroughly  endorsed  amongst  our  many  able 
statesmen  and  lawmakers. 

Lorenzo  Dow  Whiting  was  born  at  Arcadia,  Wayne 
county,  New  York,  November  19,  1819,  son  of  Samuel  and 
Zilpha  Whiting,  his  mother  being  a  lineal  descendent  of 
Cotton  Mather.  His  grand-father,  Samuel  Whiting,  was  a 
soldier  in  the  revolution. 

When  a  boy,  Lorenzo  enjoyed  the  benefits  of  the  schools 
as  they  were  conducted  at  that  time,  and  when  sufficiently 
advanced  in  the  rudimentary  departments  he  was  sent  to 
Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary,  where  so  many  of  our  great 
men  and  noble  women  have  received  their  education.  He 
came  to  Bureau  county,  111.,  in  1849,  and  has  since  resided 
on  a  farm  near  Tiskilvva,  and  engaged  in  teaching  at  that 
place  for  several  terms.  He  had  taught  several  terms  of 
school  and  been  elected  justice  of  the  peace  and  superin- 
tendent of  public  instruction  before  coming  to  Illinois,  and 
was,  for  five  terms  in  succession,  elected  supervisor  of  the 
township,  and  took  an  active  and  leading  part  in  the  drain- 
age of  the  Winnebago  Swamps,  a  work  so  largely  done 
by  Bureau  county. 


308 

In  1868  he  was  elected  to  the  legislature,  taking  his 
seat  in  the  house  January,  1869.  He  served  his  constitu- 
ency so  weH  that  when  the  members  of  the  constitutional 
convention  were  elected  in  1869,  and  met  in  1870,  he  was 
one  of  the  returned  members,  and  so  satisfactorily  did  his 
services  prove  that  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate 
at  the  election  of  November,  1870,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
each  succeeding  term  since  he  has  been  re-elected  in  dis- 
tricts that  have  been  three  times  changed,  thus  numbering 
in  all  five  elections  to  the  state  senate. 

Mr.  Whiting  is  gifted  with  that  virtue  in  well  doing, 
patience  and  endurance  (we  will  not  say  long  suffering), 
which  always,  when  backed  by  perseverance,  as  Lincoln 
says,  "  pegging  away,"  is  always  crowned  with  success  in 
the  end.  In  the  last  political  campaign  of  Owen  Lovejoy 
he  edited  the  Bureau  County  Republican,  and  is  a  prolific 
writer  on  all  subjects  that  tend  to  promote  the  advance  of 
the  country  to  greatness,  wealth  and  power.  What  he  does- 
is  done  with  a  will  and  with  the  determination  to  suc- 
ceed. He  is  almost  the  pioneer  in  the  movement  to  build 
the  Hennepin  canal,  and  has  probably,  with  perhaps  one  or 
two  exceptions,  attended  more  meetings  and  written  more 
articles  in  the  papers,  made  more  speeches,  written  more 
memorials  and  reports,  than  any  other  man  in  the  state  to 
promote  this  enterprise.  The  same  care  and  time  has  been 
given  to  the  improvements  of  the  Illinois  river.  Coming 
to  his  legislative  action  and  his  acts  in  the  convention, 
we  find  that  he  was  the  first  to  assert  the  doctrine  —  in 
the  constitutional  convention  —  that  the  state  should  control 
the  railroads,  and  supported  it  in 'a  speech  (see  page  147, 
1st  volume  debates).  PRACTICALLY  he  is  an  anti-monopo- 
list, and  at  the  time  of  the  great  Granger  agitation,  from 


HON.    LORENZO    D.    WHITING.  309 


1872  to  1875,  attended  many  of  the  meetings,  but  was  not 
in  favor  of  organizing  a  separate  party,  so  did  not  lose  his 
identity  with  the  republican  party.  He  was  active  in  pass- 
ing and  sustaining  present  railroad  laws  relating  to  "extor- 
tion and  unjust  discrimination,"  and  was  opposed  to  the 
so-called  "grab  law"  of  1869,  and  "Lake  Front"  act  of 
the  same  session.  The  present  drainage  laws  owe  a  great 
many  of  their  best  provisions  to  his  formative  hand,  and 
he  has  alwavs  given  his  influence  to  the  passage  of  acts 
promoting  the  interests  of  farmers.  The  movement  that 
has  been  agitated,  and  that  will  probably  culminate  in 
the  passage  of  a  law  to  inaugurate  a  road  system  for  the 
entire  state,  that  will  operate  to  give  the  country  better 
roads,  meets  his  approbation  and  support,  his  own  elaborate 
but  well  arranged  road-law  at  this  writing  being  just  ready 
to  pass  to  its  third  reading  in  the  senate.  He  is  in  favor 
of  a  declaratory  statute  "that  where  the  outlet  of  drainage 
is  in  a  drainage  depression,  on  a  man's  own  land,  he  may 
drain  and  it  will  be  no  trespass  on  his  lower  neighbor  — 
or  lands  below,"  and  has  a  bill  pending  declaratory  of  this 
principle.  He  is  also  in  favor  of  amendments,  or  a  new 
revenue  law,  to  reach  all  values  once,  and  to  relieve  encum- 
bered lands  from  double  taxation.  He  is  also  in  favor  of 
authorizing  county  boards  to  maintain  their  ditches,  m'ade 
under  Swamp  Land  Act,  by  special  assessment  on  lands 
benefited,  and  his  bill  for  this  purpose  has  just  passed  the 
senate  unanimously.  He,  at  this  writing,  has  a  bill  pending 
for  the  state  to  survey  certain  inland  streams,  so  as  to  show 
to  land  owners  their  interest  in  straightening  and  clearing 
the  channels,  preparatory  to  a  new  law  enabling  them  to 
combine  for  this  purpose.  He  is  in  favor  of  "  compulsory 
education ;"  has  always  favored  temperance  legislation  that 


310  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

can  be  executed.  When  we  last  met  Senator  Whiting  and 
a  number  of  others  of  our  Solon's, —  men  of  practical  wis- 
dom, discretion,  versed  in  affairs  of  state,  we  proposed  to 
him  the  advocacy  of  our  measure  for  the  correction  and 
reformation  of  all  the  abuses  and  evils  the  body  politic  is 
now  heir  to, — "  compulsory  voting  " —  which  is  no  less  than 
compelling  every  citizen  of  the  state  to  vote  at  all  elections. 
This  was  only  a  suggestion,  a  subject  for  thoughtful  study, 
that  has  a  great  many  good  reasons  in  its  favor,  which  we 
do  not  propose  giving  in  this  place. 

Our  acquaintance  with  Senator  Whiting  dates  back  to 
near  1850,  but  was  not  intimate  till  the  winter  of  1860, 
since  which  time  we  have  been  somewhat  familiar  with  his 
"  goings  to  and  fro."  He  has  been  married  twice;  his 
first  marriage  at  Clayville,  N.  Y.,  to  Miss  Lucretia 
C.  Clement,  to  whom  were  born  three  children,  now  living; 
his  second  marriage  to  Miss  Eriphy  0.  Robinson,  formerly 
of  Brooklyn,  New  York.  His  daughter,  Miss  Lilian 
Whiting,  educated  at  Galesburg  and  Mt.  Carroll  Seminary, 
is  one  of  the  editorial  staff  of  the  Boston  Traveller,  and 
eastern  correspondent  of  the  Inter-Ocean  and  several  other 
western  papers  and  magazines.  She  has  already  achieved 
quite  a  literary  reputation,  and  bids  fair  to  take  rank 
among  the  rising  authors  of  the  future. 


HON.  SAMUEL  L.  RICHMOND. 


LATE  JUDGE  'OF   THE   TWENTY-THIRD  JUDICIAL   DISTRICT. 


The  memory  of  an  upright  judge  is  a  legacy  that  should 
be  transmitted  down  through  the  annals  of  time  and  blazon 
the  historical  page.  It  is  a  mournful  pleasure  for  the  author, 
who  was  an  early  friend  and  neighbor  of  this  departed 
jurist,  to  bear  testimony  to  his  worth,  warm  friendship  and 
faithful  service. 

Samuel  Lee  Richmond  was  born  at  Poultney,  Vermont, 
June  15,  1824.  When  eight  years  old  his  family  moved  to 
Ohio,  and  Samuel  assisted  in  the  labors  of  the  farm,  attend- 
ing the  country  schools  in  winter,  attaining  a  fair  rudiiruen- 
tal  education.  His  ambition  being  stimulated  by  reading 
he  determined  to  teach  and  study  law,  and  in  1845  he  went 
to  Kentucky,  taught  school  during  the  day  and  studied  law 
in  the  evenings  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Garrett  Davis,  of  that 
state,  was  admitted  to  practice  in  Kentucky,  then  returned 
to  Ohio  and  entered  the  study  of  law  to  more  fully  qualify 
himself,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  that  state.  He  thus 
spent  three  years  in  teaching  and  studying  law  in  Kentucky 
and  Ohio,  and  in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  his  age  was 
married,  May  23,  1848,  to  Miss  Susan,  daughter  of  Elijah 
Hunt,  of  Licking  county,  Ohio.  After  his  marriage  he 
practiced  law  in  the  office  of  Lieutenant-Governor  Ford,  at 
Burton,  Geauga  county,  Ohio. 


312  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

He  came  to  Illinois  in  1848  and  settled  at  Princeton  as 
partner  of  Joseph  L.  Taylor,  staying  there  two  years. 
He  came  to  Lacon  in  1850,  where  a  broader  and  wider  field 
for  his  varied  talents  opened  out  before  him.  Some  im- 
portant legal  cases  were  pending  in  both  the  county  and 
circuit  courts,  and  he  was  retained  in  several  of  them.  He 
displayed  such  ability  in  their  management  that  he  at  once 
stepped  into  a  good  practice,  and  soon  removing  his  family 
to  that  city,  commenced  what,  in  after  years,  proved  a  suc- 
cessful career  as  counsel  and  jurist.  He  was  industrious, 
careful  and  painstaking  in  the  preparation  of  his  cases,  and 
when  his  cause  and  case  was  right  and  just  always  was  suc- 
cessful, and  as  must  always  be  the  case  when  employed  on 
the  wrong  side,  he  made  pleas  and  arguments  that  almost 
made  the  wrong  appear  the  better  side.  He  was  honest 
with  his  clients,  canvassed  their  cases  closely,  and  if  he 
found  they  were  not  strong  and  well  founded,  and  the  evi- 
dence to  be  presented  was  not  strong  enough,  he  would  ad- 
vise them  to  settle  the  suit  before  going  into  a  trial.  If  he 
could  not  effect  an  arrangement  or  settlement  between  the 
litigants,  and  the  cause  came  to  trial,  he  used  all  the  force, 
ingenuity  and  tact  at  command  to  gain  his  client's  cause. 

As  the  years  passed  on  his  fame  grew,  and  soon  he  con- 
troled  as  much  of  the  legal  business  as  any  other  attorney 
on  the  circuit.  In  1855-56  he  had  made  accumulations 
sufficient  to  induce  him  with  others  to  seek  investments  in 
real  estate,  and  in  connection  with  Hon.  John  Burns  and 
others,  real  estate  was  purchased  at  St.  Paul,  and  additions 
added  to  that  city  that  it  was  supposed  would  greatly  ad- 
vance in  value  in  the  near  future.  To  manage  the  invest- 
ment in  person  he  removed  to  St.  Paul  in  1856,  and  their 
real  estate  seemed  to  promise  well,  but  the  financial  crash 


HON.    SAMUEL    L.    RICHMOND.  313 

of  1857  came,  and  with  it  the  bright  prospects  of  realizing 
any  advance  on  their  investments  ended.  Like  thousands 
of  others  that  had  made  purchases  of  real  estate  in  all 
of  the  "future  great"  cities  at  that  time — 'not  even 
excepting  Chicago, —  the  bright  visions  of  the  investors 
vanished;  a  shrinkage  of  value  so  sweeping  that  it  in- 
volved the  loss  of  the  payments  already  made  —  and  at 
the  end  of  1857  and  beginning  of  1858  the  purchasers 
found  it  to  their  interest  to  give  up  the  real  estate 
trade  at  the  sacrifice  of  payments  first  made.  Mr.  Rich- 
mond was  not  disheartened,  although  the  accumulations 
of  years  had  been  sacrificed,  but  bravely  took  up  the 
task  of  retrieving  his  losses  by  returning  to  the  practice  of 
law.  He  came  from  St.  Paul  to  Galena,  practicing  there 
one  year,  then  returned  to  Lacon  —  among  the  people  who 
knew  him  so  well  —  to  again  recover  a  practice  and  a  foot- 
hold among  them.  He  resumed  practice  and  soon  recovered 
his  old  professional  standing  at  the  bar  and  among  the  liti- 
gants on  the  circuit.  In  1861  he  was  elected  to  the  judge- 
ship  of  the  twenty-third  judicial  circuit,  and  held  the  office 
by  re-election  for  nearly  twelve  years.  In  February,  1873, 
he  went  to  Champaign  county  by  invitation  of  Judge 
Gallagher  and  the  members  of  the  bar  of  that  circuit,  to 
hold  a  special  term  of  court.  He  opened  court  at  the  time 
appointed,  February  10th,  and  held  until  the  following  Fri- 
day, when  feeling  unwell,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  members 
of  the  bar  he  adjourned  court  until  Monday  following, 
taking  Saturday  and  Sunday  for  rest.  Monday  came,  but 
'not  the  expected  recuperation  and  health,  and  court  stood 
adjourned  until  Tuesday,  which  brought  no  relief.  On 
Tuesday  evening  about  ten  o'clock  he  had  a  spasm,  result- 
ing from  rheumatism  of  the  heart.  He  was  from  this  time 


314 

unconscious,  and  his  family  and  friends  were  telegraphed 
for.  On  Wednesday  morning  he  seemed  to  be  easier,  and 
reason  and  consciousness  returning  he  expressed  a  wish 
to  see  his  family,  and  was  informed  that  they  had  been  noti- 
fied. He  expressed  himself  that  he  did  not  "  want  to 
put  them  to  the  trouble  to  come,"  and  this  was  his  last 
intelligent  utterance.  After  a  few  moments  he  relapsed 
into  a  spasm  and  it  was  followed  by  almost  instant  death. 
Thus  died,  away  from  home  and  family,  Samuel  L.  Rich- 
mond, the  upright  judge  of  unsullied  honor  and  integrity. 
Mrs.  Richmond  had  left  their  home  at  the  same  time 
he  did  to  go  to  the  bedside  of  a  dying  father  in  Ohio, 
and  strange  coincidence,  just  the  day  previous  to  Judge 
Richmond's  death  his  father-in-law,  Elijah  Hunt,  Esq. 
departed  this  life,  and  when  the  message  to  the  stricken 
wife  came  to  her  she  was  bending  over  the  grave  of  her 
father.  The  remains  were  taken  charge  of  by  members  of» 
the  bar  and  a  committee  appointed  to  attend  them  to  Lacon. 
At  Peoria  a  committee  of  the  Marshall  county  bar  met 
them,  and  the  sorrowing  cavalcade  conveyed  the  remains 
to  the  late  residence  before  the  arrival  of  the  sorrowing 
widow  or  the  eldest  son,  who  was  at  the  time  in  one  of 
the  western  territories. 

Thus  passed  from  earth,  at  the  zenith  of  his  great  powers 
of  mind,  at  the  age  of  forty-eight,  a  man  whose  services  on 
the  bench  had  been  eminently  satisfactory  to  the  people, 
ranking  among  the  ablest  judges  in  the  state,  leaving  to 
his  family  his  unsullied  honor  and  integrity  never  ques- 
tioned, his  ermine  unblemished,  and  it  is  at  this  shrine  of 
friendship  we  bear  mournful  testimony  to  the  worth  and 
air  judicial  fame  of  an  old  neighbor. 


HON.  AUGUSTUS  ADAMS 

MARSEILLES,  ILL. 


HON.  AUGUSTUS  ADAMS. 

PIONEER,   FOUNDER,   INVENTOR   AND  MANUFACTURER. 

With  resources  inexhaustible,  its  latitude  extending 
from  the  semi-tropicalj  climate  of  our  southern  border'  to 
the  severe  winters  of  northern  Dakota  and  Minnesota,  its 
products  varied  and  distributed  to  suit  the  peculiar  latitude 
required  by  each  kind  of  fruit  or  grain,  its  subterranean  depths 
containing  the  coal,  the  iron  and  other  more  precious  mine- 
rals, with  oil  spontaneously  flowing  from  the  rocks,  its 
timber  forests  and  its  grainery-filling  prairie  regions  that 
are  almost  limitless — our  country  has  embodied  from  its 
earliest  infancy  the  necessary  requisites  for  the  development 
of  the  genius  of  the  inventor  and  the  enterprising  manufac- 
turer. 

It  is  one  of  the  missions  of  our  work  to  introduce  these 
pioneer  benefactors  by  whose  lives  and  genius  many  are  made 
wealthy,  enjoy  greater  immunity  from  the  labor  drudgery 
of  the  earlier  years  of  our  nation's  history,  and  who  have 
conduced  to  make  business  a  pleasure  in  these  modern  days 
instead  of  a  burdensome  exaction  of  bodily  strength  as  it 
was  twenty-five  and  fifty  years  ago. 

Among  this  class  of  pioneers — prominent  in  Illinois  for 
forty-five  years  past,  and  for  near  sixty  years  a  worker  and 
inventor, —  we  introduce  one  whom  all  will  recognize  as 
standing  in  the  front  rank. 


316  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

Augustus  Adams  was  born  at  Genoa,  Cayuga  county, 
New  York,  May  10,  1806,  where  during  his  boyhood  he  at- 
tended the  public  schools  of  that  early  day  until  eleven 
years  old. 

His  father  dying  at  this  time  he  was  obliged  to  depend 
upon  his  own  resources  for  support.  But  as  a  boy  he  was 
diligent,  it  might  almost  be  said  "in -season  and  out  of 
season;"  he  possessed  an  inquiring  turn  of  mind — powers 
of  investigation  that  he  improved,  and  this  was  his  founda- 
tion for  future  growth.  His  summers  were  spent  on  the 
farm,  as  hired  help,  but  all  his  spare  time  was  devoted  to 
study  by  which  he  acquired  a  rich  store  of  general  informa- 
tion. By  this  incessant  application,  when  arrived  at 
maturer  years,  he  had  attained  the  necessary  qualifications 
for  teaching  school,  and  his  winters  for  several  years  were 
so  employed. 

While  thus  laudably  engaged  he  discovered  that  he  pos- 
sessed an  inventive  genius,  and  with  that  excellent  judg- 
ment and  foresight  which  has  characterized  his  life,  he  recog- 
nized that  no  field  of  labor  offered  greater  inducements  for 
the  exercise  of  his  inventive  faculties  than  manufacturing, 
and  closely  following  the  developments  of  the  agricultural 
resources  of  the  west,  he  discovered  that  labor-saving 
machinery  must  play  an  important  part  in  handling  the 
enormous  crops.  With  the  accumulations  saved  from  his 
years  of  toil  he  was  enabled  in  1829  to  start  a  foundry  and 
machine  shop  at  Pine  Valley,  Chemung  county,  New  York, 
which  he  continued  to  operate  until  the  autumn  of  1837. 

But  the  West,  with  its  boundless  field  for  development, 
had  been  his  objective  point  in  these  years  of  successful 
'endeavor,  and  in  the  fall  of  1838  he  came  to  Elgin,  Illinois, 
his  family  following  him  in  1840,  and  in  1841,  with 


HON.    AUGUSTUS   ADAMS.  317 

James  T.  Gilford  as  a  partner,  he  established  the  first 
foundry  and  machine  shop  west  of  Lake  Michigan.  This 
establishment,  though  operated  in  a  crude  way  as  compared 
with  the  improved  methods  of  the  present,  continued  in 
successful  operation  until  1859.  For  use  in  this  foundry 
he  purchased  the  first  pig-iron  and  hard  coal  ever  brought 
to  Chicago  for  foundry  purposes.  Thus  Elgin,  Illinois, 
may  be  justly  styled  "  the  cradle"  of  western  manufacto- 
ries, and  Augustus  Adams  "The  Pioneer  Inventor  and 
Founder." 

There  he  invented  and  manufactured  the  first  harvester 
on  which  grain  was  bound  and  carried  together,  the 
"  Hinge  Sickle  Bar,"  now  used  on  mowing  machines  of  all 
classes,  and  commenced  the  manufacture  of  the  Adams  Corn 
Shellers,  which,  with  the  improvements  of  following  years, 
have  made  his  name  a  household  word  wherever  corn  is 
raised. 

In  1857  he  moved  to  Sandwich,  Illinois,  where  he  com- 
menced the  manufacture  of  "  The  Adams  Patent  Self-feed- 
ing Corn  Shellers"  under  the  firm  name  of  A.  Adams  &. 
Sons.  In  1867,  owing  to  the  re%dy  acceptance  of  these 
machines,  it  became  necessary  to  largely  increase  the 
facilities  for  manufacturing  them.  Additional  capital  was 
secured,  and  the  business  reorganized  under  the  state  laws 
with  Augustus  Adams  as  president  of  the  company.  A 
few  years  later,  recognizing  the  superior  advantages  of  the 
Illinois  river  at  Marseilles,  Illinois,  and  its  greater  economy 
for  manufacturing  purposes  as  compared  with  steam  power, 
he,  in  1870,  established  his  younger  sous  there,  organizing 
and  incorporating  under  the  state  laws  as  The  Marseilles 
Manufacturing  Company,  with  Mr.  Adams  as  its  president, 
which  position. he  still  holds.  Having  resigned  the  presi- 


318  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

dency  of  the  Sandwich  company,  his  interests  are  now  cen- 
tered in  the  Marseilles  Manufacturing  Company,  their  pro- 
ducts having  acquired  a  national  reputation. 

It  was  while  Mr.  Adams  was  engaged  in  these  enter- 
prises that  the  author's  pleasant  acquaintance  with  him 
commenced.  Until  weight  of  years  prevented  we  always 
found  him  at  the  state  fairs,  where  his  genial  greeting  made 
him  popular  with  the  u  press  gang,"  the  reporters  always  in 
their  line  of  duty  called  to  note  the  blue  ribbons  that 
adorned  the  displays  of  machinery  that  he  exhibited.  He 
was  liberal  with  the  representatives  of  the  press,  knowing 
it  was  the  lever  that  moved  the  world  forward  in  favor  of 
the  improvements  of  the  age.  We  have  also  met  him  at 
Springfield  when  engaged  in  the  weightier  duties  of  the 
state,  sitting  in  his  place  among  the  law  makers  of  the  land. 
As  we  have  noted  his  close  application  to  business,  even 
when  a  youth,  the  same  earnestness  governed  him  while  a 
legislator  in  modeling  the  laws  in  the  interest  of  the  people. 
Among  the  positions  that  his  fellow-citizens  have  honored 
him  with,  we  mention  his  election  in  1847  as  a  delegate  to 
the  Constitutional  Convention  of  Illinois,  that  engrafted  so 
many  good  and  wise  provisions  into  our  organic  law.  In 
1850  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  house  of  representa- 
tives of  Illinois,  and  in  1854  was  elected  to  the  senate. 
When  the  Northern  Insane  Asylum  was  authorized  by  an 
act  of  the  legislature  he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Palmer  as 
one  of  the  commissioners  to  locate  the  institution. 

In  his  political  views  he  was  always  a  staunch  republi- 
can, orthodox  in  religion,  and  a  member  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church. 

He  was  married  October  21,  1833,  to  Lydia  A.  Phelps, 
by  whom  he  has  had  eight  sons  and  one  daughter.  Mrs. 


HON.    AUGUSTUS    ADAMS.  319 

Adams  died  December  14,  1867.     He  was  again  married, 
January  13,  1869,  to  Mrs.  L.  M.  Mosher. 

This  sage,  patriot  and  pioneer  in  western  enterprise  has 
now  retired  from  active  business,  full  of  years  and  honors, 
where  in  a  quiet  home,  in  ease  and  comfort,  he  can  review  a 
long  and  useful  life. 

His  oldest  son,  Darius,  died  April  16,  1872.  All  the 
others  are  engaged  in  the  business  originally  planned  and 
established  by  himself,  and  the  old  veteran  is  enabled  to  re- 
view with  pleasure  the  development  of  the  great  manufac- 
turing interests  of  the  west,  wherein  he,  as  much  as  any 
other  man,  has  acted  a  very  conspicuous  part,  particularly 
in  the  establishment  of  the  thriving  manufacturing  industries 
at  Sandwich  and  Marseilles,  not  forgetting  the  almost  half 
century  ago  when  he  founded  manufacturing  in  embryo  at 
Elgin,  from  which  sprang  the  two  flourishing  manufactur- 
ing companies  with  whose  history  the  prime  of  his  life  has 
been  identified. 


GEORGE  E.  MERCHANT. 


GENERAL    MANAGER    OF    THE    ROCHESTER    AND   PITTSBURG 
RAILROAD  COMPANY. 


Rapid  advancement  made  from  one  responsible  position 
to  another  that  requires  a  higher  order  of  talent,  shows 
natural  and  acquired  aptness  of  adaptation  to  the  new  duties 
required.  In  our  considerable  experience  with  railroads 
and  the  men  who  manage  them  we  have  very  pleasant  re- 
membrances of  the  progress  made  to  position  and  fame  in 
their  management  by  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

George  E.  Merchant  was  born  at  Worcester,  Mass., 
November  25,  1842.  His  father,  William  Merchant,  was 
engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and  died  in  1849.  In  the 
spring  of  1850,  when  George  was  in  his  eighth  year,  his 
mother,  with  his  younger  brother  William,  came  to  the 
west  and  located  at  Fort  Madison,  Iowa,  where  the  winter 
months  were  spent  at  school,  making  fair  progress  in  the 
primary  studies.  In  1851  they  removed  to  Mount  Palatine, 
Putnam  county,  Illinois,  remaining  there  four  years,  George 
attending  the  seminary  at  that  place,  at  that  time  a  very 
nourishing  institution  of  learning.  They  resided  here  four 
years  and  then  removed  to  Tonica,  LaSalle  county,  in  1859, 
where  he  continued  to  attend  school.  In  1859,  being  then 
seventeen  years  old,  he  obtained  a  situation  as  clerk  in  the 
store  of  John  Wadleigh,  then,  as  at  present,  one  of  the 
leading  merchants  at  New  Rutland,  same  county,  where  he 
served  faithfully  until  1865. 


GEORGE  E.  MERCHANT. 


GECfeGE    E.    MERCHANT.  321 

In  1865  his  railroad  experience  commenced,  and  also 
our  acquaintance  with  him.  He  was  appointed  agent  for 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  at  that  place,  and  served  the 
company  with  great  acceptability  until  January,  1872, 
when  he  resigned  to  enter  the  service  of  the  Chicago  and 
Rock  River  Railroad  as  agent  at  Rock  Falls,  Illinois,  the 
principal  station  on  that  road.  He  held  that  position  until 
February,  1872,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  position  of 
General  Freight  and  Ticket  Agent  of  the  Dakota  Southern 
Railroad,  with  headquarters  at  Sioux  City,  Iowa.  This 
position  he  held  until  Feb.  1,  1875,  when  he  resigned  to 
accept  the  position  of  Traffic  and  Traveling  Freight  Agent 
for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  with  headquarters  at  Du- 
buque,  Iowa.  After  faithfully  serving  this  road  for  one  year 
he  received  a  pressing  call  to  take  charge  of  the  Dakota 
Southern  Railroad  as  General  Superintendent,  with' head- 
quarters again  at  Sioux  City,  showing  the  estimation  of  his 
services  by  being  advanced  to  the  management  of  that  road. 
In  March,  1880,  this  road  was  sold  to  the  Chicago,  Mil- 
waukee and  St.  Paul  Railroad,  he  retaining  his  position  of 
General  Superintendent  until  Feb.  1,  1881,  when  he  wa& 
called  to  his  present  responsible  position  as  General  Mana- 
ger of  the  Rochester  and  Pittsburg  Railroad,  one  of  the 
most  prosperous  short-line  railroads  in  the  country.  It 
employs  his  varied  talents  to  great  advantage,  as  he  super- 
intends in  person  every  detail  in  the  business  of  the  road 
that  it  is  possible  for  one  man  to  do.  He  possesses  rare 
executive  ability,  and  from  the  time  he  entered  the  service 
of  the  Illinois  Central  in  1865  he  has  at  no  time  been  un- 
employed, but  has  been  promoted  from  one  position  of  trust 
and  honor  to  another,  always  giving  the  best  satisfaction  to 

21 


322 

the   patrons   of  the  roads   and    to    the    great   corporations 
themselves. 

Mr.  Merchant  has  been  very  happy  in  his  family  rela- 
tions. In  1864  he  married  Miss  Fannie  E.  Sherburne,  of 
Lacon,  Illinois,  and  they  have  been  blessed  with  three 
children :  Maude  L.,  now  in  her  fifteenth  year,  Nellie  S., 
twelve  years  old,  and  Gerald  E.,  aged  five  years.  Mrs. 
Merchant  is  the  sister  of  the  enterprising  merchant,  Milton 
M.  Sherburne,  of  Sullivan,  Illinois,  formerly  of  Sparland, 
and  yet  has  pleasant  recollections  of  her  girlhood  days 
spent  on  the  prairies  of  Illinois. 


HON.  JOHN  DOUGHERTY. 


LATE   LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  noted  for  the  full  space  of 
time  of  half  a  century  of  service  to  the  state,  a  period  marked 
by  eras,  epochs  and  stages  in  the  developement  of  our  state 
from  infancy  to  robust  manhood,  that  for  length  of  years 
few  of  our  statesmen  were  blessed  with. 

John  Dougherty  was  born  at  Duck  Creek,  near  Mari- 
etta, Ohio,  May  6,  1806.  He  was  the  youngest  son  of 
Charles  Dougherty,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  left  that  coun- 
try in  1798,  and  Elizabeth  Wolf,  a  resident  of  Lancaster 
county,  Pennsylvania.  Charles  Dougherty,  a  fine  classical 
scholar,  was  educated  for  the  priesthood.  His  love  of 
country  led  his  too  ardent  nature  into  the  political  compli- 
cations and  revolutionary  movements  of  that  year,  into 
which  so  many  brave  Irishmen  were  drawn,  which  failing, 
many  were  banished  from  their  country  or  suffered  mar- 
tyrdom on  the  scaffold.  Coming  to  the  United  States  his 
course  of  reading  led  him  to  renounce  his  former  religious 
views,  in  which  he  was  educated,  and  he  became  an  ardent 
and  devoted  Methodist. 

In  1808  he  left  Ohio  and  settled  at  Cape  Girardeau, 
Mo.,  and  soon  fell  a  victim  to  malarial  fever,  leaving  three 
sons  and  one  daughter.  His  widow  remained  there  until 
1812,  leaving  there  after  the  disastrous  earthquakes  that 


324  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

occurred  in  1811-12.      She  removed  to  Union  county,  Illi- 
nois, with  her  children. 

John  Dougherty,  when  old  enough  to  attend  school,  was 
afforded  such  limited  means  of  education  as  the  country 
schools  at  that  day  afforded. 

After  leaving  school  he  worked  a  year  at  the  lead  mines 
in  Washington  county,  Missouri,  and  after  this  taught 
school  for  two  and  a  half  years  at  Fredericktown,  Missouri. 
He  then  returned  to  Illinois,  and  on  March  5th,  1829,  was 
married  to  Miss  Katharine  James,  second  daughter  of 
George  and  Elizabeth  James,  of  Union  county. 

Looking  around  for  a  vocation  he  became  acquainted 
with  Col.  Alexander  P.  Field,  who  invited  him  to  read  law 
in  his  office,  which  occupied  his  time  and  earnest  attention 
for  the  next  two  years.  Under  such  a  competent  instructor 
he  made  rapid  advance  and  progress  in  his  studies  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1831,  and  soon  became  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  rising  young  lawyers  of  the  state.  He 
was  employed  in  the  most  difficult  and  intricate  cases  in  the 
courts,  as  he  was  always  employed  by  one  side  or  the  other 
in  important  criminal  cases.  He  early  entered  political  life,, 
and  in  1832  was  elected  to  the  legislature,  re-elected  in 
1834  and  1836,  and  participated  in  the  stirring  times  of 
those  years  in  the  internal  improvement,  banking  and  canal 
legislation  so  graphically  described  in  another  chapter  of 
this  work.  Like  other  good  men  at  that  day  he  may  have 
made^mistakes  in  choosing  sides  on  the  questions  that  were 
presented,  as  most  of  the  statesmen  of  that  day  did  who 
voted  money  lavishly  for  improvements,  believing  they 
were  promoting  the  interests  of  their  constituents. 

In  1840  he  was  again  elected  to  the  houser  which  ses- 
sion was  the  darkest  period  in  the  financial  history  of  the 


HON.     JOHN     DOUGHERTY.  325 

state,  the  banks  all  suspended  or  broken,  work  on  the  canal 
stopped,  and  the  extensive  railroad  system  that  had  been 
planned,  all  a  wreck,  and  general  financial  desolation  pre- 
vailed. 

From  1842  to  1850  he  served  continuously  in  the  state 
senate,  and  aided  very  much  by  his  long  legislative  experi- 
ence the  effort  of  Gov.  Ford  to  re-establish  the  credit  of  the 
state,  and  adopting  measures  to  secure  the  completion  of  the 
canal,  which  he  happily  saw  consumated  in  1847.  In  re- 
viewing his  legislative  action  for  the  sixteen  years  he  was 
a  member  of  the  legislature  (eight  in  the  house  eight  in  the 
senate),  from  1832  to  1850,  we  find  that  he  was  the  most 
active,  strong  and  persistent  advocates  of  the  system  of 
free  schools,  since  adopted,  which  has  been  for  years  the 
pride  and  glory  of  our  state. 

We  can  also  note  in  a  general  way,  without  going  into 
general  detail  as  to  date,  that  even  in  his  earlier  legislative 
action  he  exerted  h^s  influence' to  engraft  into  the  statutes 
of  the  state  a  law  that  would  give  equal  advantages  to  women 
in  protecting  her  interests. 

He  was  again  elected  to  the  house  in  1856,  at  this  time 
sustaining  the  administration  of  Mr.  Buchanan,  but  the  latter 
part  of  1860  and  opening  of  1861,  when  secession  raised  its 
bydra  head,  before  Mr.  Lincoln  was  inaugurated,  he  took  a 
bold  and  outspoken  stand  for  the  Union,  cutting  loose 
from  a  great  many  of  his  former  political  friends,  many  of 
whom  who  were  his  close  neighbors,  but  who  at  that  time 
sympathised  with  the  South. 

On  many  occasions  he  periled  his  life  by  his  loyalty, 
traveling  night  and  day  giving  his  counsel,  encouragement, 
and  making  loyal  speeches,  and  it  was  largely  through  his 
influence  that  enlistments  for  the  Union  army  were  made 


326  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

possible  in  Southern  Illinois.  In  his  section  of  the  state 
fully  half  of  the  people  were  disloyal  at  the  opening  of  the 
war,  and  Union  men  were  marked  for  their  vengeance,  and 
some  were  assassinated.  In  1864  he  was  chosen  one  of 
the  electors  on  the  republican  ticket  and*  canvassed  the 
state.  He  was  elected  lieutenant-governor  in  1868,  and 
again  on  the  electoral  ticket  in  1872. 

When  retiring  from  the  office  of  lieutenant-governor 
the  senate  unanimously  gave  expression  to  its  sense  of  his 
ability,  impartiality  and  fine  sense  of  honor,  in  a  series  of 
resolutions  which  were  sent  to  him  at  his  home.  Encomi- 
ums were  written  by  the  press  of  the  state  praising  his 
ability  as  a  presiding  officer,  and  no  man  ever  retiring  from 
official  position  carried  with  him  the  regards  of  the  people 
without  respect  to  party  as  did  Gov.  Dougherty. 

In  the  words  of  one  who  knew  him  well,  "  He  was  one 
of  the  noblest  old  Romans  of  the  state.  He  was  kind 
hearted,  a  lover  of  justice,  the  friend  of  the  poor,  the  enemy 
of  the  oppressor.  He  performed  every  duty  conscien- 
tiously." Another  paper  says  of  him,  "  He  belonged  to  the 
olden  school  of  gentlemen  who  are  fast  passing  away." 
"  The  members  of  the  senate  looked  to  him  as  to  a  father. 
The  life  and  character  of  the  governor  was  such  that  there 
can  be  no  question  but  he  was  revered  and  honored  for  his 
virtues  of  firmness  and  honesty." 

In  the  reorganization  of  judiciary  and  the  judicial  dist- 
ricts in  1877,  he  wis  elected  circuit  judge,  his  term  expiring 
a  short  time  before  his  death,  which  occurred  September 
7,  1879,  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age,  rendering  up 
a  long  and  useful  life  with  faculties  unimpaired.  In  the 
eulogy  given  him  it  is  said,  "  From  his  character  as  a  judge 


HON.     JOHN     DOUGHERTY.  327 


there   can   be  no   question  but  he  has  gone  to  the  shining 
shore  —  the  land  beyond,  where  all  is  peace  and  rest." 

In  our  frequent  visits  to  Southern  Illinois  after  the  com- 
pletion of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  we  met  Governor 
Dougherty  frequently,  and  also  at  Springfield  when  he  was 
presiding  officer  of  the  senate,  and  have  from  this  acquaint- 
ance given  our  estimate  of  him  as  a  man,  a  legislator  and  a 
patriot.  But  he  shone  more  resplendently  in  his  family  cir- 
cle—  his  home.  There,  with  his  aged  wife,  his  daughter 
and  grandchildren,  his  genial,  hospitable  home-nature  shone 
most  resplendently.  In  the  abandon  of  his  enjoyment  he 
was  almost  child-like,  no  stiffness  or  formality,  visitors 
were  made  to  feel  that  while  they  stayed  it  was  their  privi- 
lege to  be  sociable  —  "  one  of  the  family."  Gov.  Dougherty 
was  not  accumulative  in  the  matter  of  acquiring  a  large  store 
of  this  world's  possessions.  Competence  and  contentment 
seemed  all  he  desired,  and  beyond  a  comfortable  home  we 
believe  he  left  no  large  estate,  personal  or  in  realty.  His 
life,  official  and  private,  for  its  lofty  patriotism  and  virtues, 
should  be  emulated. 

KATHARINE    JAMES    DOUGHERTY. 

One  of  the  mothers  in  Israel  in  the  shaping  and  mould- 
ing of  society  in  the  early  times  of  Southern  Illinois,  and  a 
true  helpmeet  to  her  husband,  Hon.  John  Dougherty,  in 
his  long  and  eventful  career,  was  this  wifely  woman,  of 
Martha  Washington  virtues  and  Spartan  fortitude.  Martha 
James,  the  daughter  of  George  and  Elizabeth  James,  born 
near  Bowling  Green,  Kentucky,  March  4,  1808.  Her 
father  came  to  Illinois  in  1811  and  made  a  home,  until 
warned  by  some  friendly  Indians  to  move  his  family  to  a 


328  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

place  of  safety,  as  there  was  a  plot  to  massacre  all  the  white 
settlers.  He  returned  to  Kentucky  and  remained  until  the 
conclusion  of  peace  in  1814-15,  when  he  returned  to  Illi- 
nois. He  was  a  large  stockgrower,  the  range  of  the  rich 
bottoms  and  glades  of  Illinois  was  invitingly  tempting  to 
him,  and  presented  business  reasons  why  he  should  return 
to  Illinois.  On  his  return  he  settled  in  Union  county,  on 
the  rich  alluvial  bottoms  of  the  Mississippi  that  presented  so 
many  attractions  to  him  in  a  business  point  of  view.  Here 
he  was  very  fortunate,  his  herds  increasing  and  multiplying 
as  they  did  to  Abraham  and  Lot  in  patriarchal  times.  He 
lived  twelve  years  after  his  return  to  Illinois,  and  died  in 
1826,  leaving  his  widow,  with  family,  four  sons  and  two 
daughters. 

Katharine,  the  youngest,  his  favorite  child,  was  married 
March  5,  1829,  to  John  Dougherty,  and  the  young  couple 
set  out  to  make  their  way  in  the  world  with  a  fund  of  en- 
ergy and  industry,  supplemented  with  mutual  love  and  re- 
spect, which  grew  more  endearing  as  the  years  advanced 
and  children  were  given  to  bless  them.  To  them  were  born 
ten  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  leaving  five 
sons  and  two  daughters  to  grow  to  man  and  woman's  estate. 

Their  eldest  son,  William  La  Fayette,  was  at  one  time 
United  States  marshal,  and  died  in  1864  from  the  effects  of 
a  fall  from  his  carriage.  Another  son,  Alexander  N., 
studied  law  and  attained  some  prominence  at  the  bar,  died 
at  Jonesboro,  May,  1879.  The  eldest  surviving  son  resides 
at  Jonesboro,  serving  the  city  as  police  magistrate.  George 
M.,  formerly  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Jonesboro  Adver- 
tiser, is  now  in  the  employ  of  the  Illinois  Central  railroad 
company  at  Cairo,  and  John  J.,  the  youngest  child,  is  now 
a  lieutenant  in  the  United  States  army,  stationed  at  Brook- 


HON.     JOHN    DOUGHERTY.  329 

lyn,  New  York.  The  daughters,  the  eldest  is  the  wife  of 
Wm.  Fountain,  Esq.,  DuQuoin,  Illinois,  and  the  youngest, 
Mrs.  Helen  Schuchardt,  occupies  the  home  residence  of  her 
late  father  and  mother  at  Jonesboro. 

From  those  who  knew  Katharine  James  in  the  pristine 
days  of  her  girlhood  and  as  the  mature  woman  when  mar- 
ried, who  remember  her  kindly  ways,  social  disposition,  her 
goodness  of  heart,  we  gather  that  she  was  a  girl  of  more 
than  average  beauty  of  face  and  form,  and  of  peculiarly 
lovely  and  gentle  disposition.  Throughout  all  the  more 
than  half  century  of  wedded  life  she  was  her  husband's 
confidential  adviser,  encouraging  him  in  his  duties  and  in 
the  employment  of  his  great  talents  to  advance  the  interests 
of  the  state.  She  was  her  children's  guide  to  all  that  is  best 
in  life,  and  a  friend  to  all  who  knew  her.  To  her  the  sweet 
scriptural  benison  can  be  truthfully  applied  :  "  Her  children 
rise  up  and  call  her  blessed,  her  husband  also,  and  he  prais- 
eth  her."  She  died  March  28,  1882,  at  the  family  residence 
at  Jonesboro,  which  had  been  her  husband's  residence  since 
their  marriage,  fifty-three  years  and  twenty -three  days,  aged 
seventy-two  years  and  twenty-four  days. 


GENERAL  WILLIAM  H.  POWELL. 

MANUFACTURER,  INVENTOR,  AND  CAPITALIST. 


The  development  of  the  industries  of  the  country  is 
the  glory  of  the  state,  and  the  enterprise  that  prompts  the 
pioneers  to  invest  their  earnings  and  accumulations  of  for- 
mer years  should  be  recognized  by  the  people.  One  of  this 
class  of  citizens  we  present  in  this  sketch. 

William  H.  Powell  was  born  in  New  South  Wales,. 
May  10,  1825,  and  came  to  America  with  his  parents  in 
1832,  stopping  one  year  near  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania, 
when  they  removed  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  where  he  was 
given  very  limited  educational  privileges  for  a  short  time, 
and  at  a  very  early  age  was  placed  in  a  rolling  mill  and 
nail  factory  at  Nashville  to  learn  the  business,  and  remained 
there  until  his  eighteenth  year,  learning  the  height  and 
depth  and  length  and  breadth  of  the  manufacture  of  iron 
and  nail  making,  that  has,  in  the  years  since  then,  placed 
him  in  the  front  rank  in  both  these  departments  as  a  man- 
ufacturer. 

When  in  his  eighteenth  year,  in  1843,  he  removed  to 
Wheeling,  West  Virginia,  and  engaged  in  the  same  busi- 
ness, still  applying  himself  to  studying  every  detail  of  the 
business,  and  all  the  processes  of  iron-making  for  the  next 
four  years.  When  -but  twenty-two  years  old  he  built  the 
Benwood  Nail  Works,  and  was  superintendent,  very  suc- 
cessfully managing  the  business  until  1853,  when  he  severed 


GENERAL    WILLIAM    H.    POWELL.  331 

his  connection  with  the  Benwood  works,  and  removed  to 
Ironton,  Ohio,  and  built  the  Bellfonte  Nail  Works,  and 
operated  them  until  August,  1861,  when  he  entered  the 
service  as  captain  of  a  company  in  the  Second  Regiment 
West  Virginia  Cavalry,  a  regiment  organized  in  Ohio,  but 
from  the  fact  that  so  many  more  men  were  offering  than 
could  be  accepted  from  Ohio,  tfye  regiment  was  tendered  as 
part  of  the  quota  from  West  Virginia.  He  performed  very 
arduous  services  during  the  war  that  our  space  prevents 
enumerating  in  detail,  was  promoted,  passing  through  all 
the  grades  of  promotion  for  meritorious  conduct  up  to 
major-general,  commanding  the  Second  Division  Cavalry 
under  Sheridan  in  all  the  Shenandoah  Valley  campaign  of 
1864,  continuing  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

WThen  he  was  mustered  out  in  1865  he  returned  to  his 
business  at  Ironton  and  greatly  increased  the  facilities  of 
the  Bellfonte  works  by  his  inventive  genius  Having 
sold  out  his  interest  at  Ironton,  he  returned  to  West  Vir- 
ginia in  1867,  and  built  the  Clifton  Nail  Works  on  the 
Ohio  River,  and  was  superintendent  until  1870,  when,  by 
being  thrown  from  a  buggy,  he  received  almost  fatal  inju- 
ries which  incapacitated  him  from  business,  and  from  which 
he  slowly  recovered.  He  removed  to  Kansas  City,  Mo., 
and  while  regaining  strength  he  engaged  in  the  commission 
business,  remaining  there  until  1875,  when  he  removed  to 
Belleville,  Illinois,  again  engaging  in  the  nail  business,  con- 
tinuing there  ever  since,  aiding  in  developing  that  industry 
in  connection  with  others. 

When  General  Powell  returned  to  Ohio  after  the  war 
a  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate  was  pressed  upon  him  by 
the  republicans  of  Ohio,  but  his  private  business  demanded 
his  attention  and  he  declined  it.  Other  official  positions 


332  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

were  also  declined,  his  manufacturing  interests  demanding 
his  unremitting  attention. 

Irn  March,  1882,  the  Western  Nail  Company  of  Belle- 
ville was  organized  with  General  Powell,  President,  Con- 
rad Rienecke,  Vice-President  and  Treasurer,  and  Benjamin 
J.  West,  Jr.,  Secretary.  The  building  of  their  extensive 
works  was  commenced  April  15th,  and  pushed  with  such 
•energy  that  they  were  completed,  and  they  commenced 
making  nails,  Sept.  4,  1882,  with  a  rolling-mill  capacity  of 
twenty-eight  tons  of  nail  plate  per  day,  with  fifty-six  nail 
machines,  having  a  capacity  of  three  thousand  kegs  per 
week,  with  room  to  add  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
nail  machines.  As  the  trade  demands  they  will  be  added. 

As  we  have  noted  from  his  life-long  experience,  Gen. 
Powell,  the  president  of  the  company,  is  a  thoroughly 
practical  man  in  the  nail  manufacturing  business  —  has 
made  it  a  study.  C.  Rienecke,  the  vice-president  and 
treasurer,  is  a  thoroughly  practical,  self-made  man,  owning 
two  large  coal  mines  near  Belleville. 

The  nail  works  are  located  on  the  Louisville  and  Nash- 
ville Railway,  within  the  corporate  limits  of  Belleville, 
fourteen  miles  southeast  of  St.  Louis,  and  are  supplied  with 
coal  from  a  shaft  three  hundred  feet  from  the  works,  and 
the  best  of  water  from  a  reservoir  only  a  little  over  one 
hundred  yards  away. 

While  at  Belleville  refreshing  our  remembrance  of  the 
olden  time,  calling  on  Gov.  Koerner,  Col.  John  Thomas, 
John  Hay,  Superintendent  Raab,  and  many  others  posted  in 
the  annals  of  Southern  Illinois,  we  visited  this  busy  hive 
of  industry,  the  Western  Nail  Company,  and  for  nearly 
two  hours  was  shown  through  these  extensive  works,  with 
all  their  Plutonian  grandeur,  heated  like  the  furnaces  in 


GENERAL    WILLIAM    H.    POWELL.  333 

which  were  cast  the  Hebrew  children,  with  the  sizzling  of 
pig  iron,  bar  iron,  rolled  iron,  from  the  cutting  of  the  rail- 
road iron  by  large  shears.  When  it  is  put  on  hand-cars  in 
packages  of  750  pounds,  new  iron  being  added  in  proper 
quantities  to  restore  the  railroad  iron  to  proper  strength  — 
to  add  new  life,  these  amalgamated  parcels  are  wheeled  in 
front  of  the  furnace,  where  it  is  melted  into  a  mass  at  white 
heat  and  started  on  its  journey  through  the  slab  roller,  on 
to  the  hot  shears,  cut  into  ten  blocks,  and  from  this  wheeled 
to  the  wash-heating  furnace,  remaining  there  about  fifteen 
minutes,  then  taken  from  the  wash-heating  furnace  and 
rolled  through  seven  or  eight  nail  plate  rollers,  each  one 
making  it  thinner  until  the  proper  thinness  is  reached  for 
making  nails,  when  they  are  cut  into  the  proper  width  by 
passing  through  the  nail  plate  shears,  and  from  these  are 
carted  on  hand  trucks  to  the  front  of  the  nail  machines. 
There  is  also  a  nail  plate  heating  furnace  for  tempering  the 
plate  for  large  nails.  We  were  also  taken  to  a  separate 
apartment  which  contained  a  ten-horse  power  electric 
machine,  sufficient  for  ten  lights,  that  serve  to  light  the 
immense  expanse  of  the  building  in  all  its  parts.  ,The 
average  day's  work  per  man  (mostly  boys)  is  two  or  three 
kegs  a  day  for  barrel  nails;  heaviest  nails,  from  sixty-five 
to  seventy  kegs  per  day,  and  ten  penny  nails  from  twenty 
to  twenty-two  kegs  a  day  —  a  fair  day's  work.  When  we 
were  there  the  works  were  turning  out  some  3,000  kegs  per 
week,  with  fifty-six  machines.  Other  machines  were  being 
added,  so  that  January  1,  3,500  kegs  per  week  would  be 
made,  and  now  (April,  1883)  there  are  one  hundred  nail 
machines  in  operation,  turning  out  fully  5,000  kegs  per 
week. 

It   gives    us   pleasure   to   record  this   evidence  of  the 


334  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

growth  of  manufactures  in  the  west,  especially  when  man- 
aged by  men  who  gained  their  knowledge  in  the  dear  school 
of  experience. 

Superintendent  Powell,  a  cousin  of  the  general,  has  the 
general  oversight  of  the  whole  works,  and  to  his  courtesy 
we  are  indebted  for  the  pleasure  of  looking  through  the 
entire  works.  General  Powell  started  the  rounds  with  us, 
but  a  pressing  business  call  requiring  his  attention  the 
balance  of  the  sight-seeing,  illustrated  by  full  explanation 
showing  the  operation  of  the  machinery  in  cutting  the 
nails,  are  due  to  the  superintendent  in  charge. 

This  large  industry  is  due  entirely  to  the  enterprise 
of  General  Powell,  who  to-day,  we  presume,  has  more 
intimate  practical  knowledge  of  the  nail  business  than  any 
other  man  in  the  United  States,  and  it  is  one  of  the  mis- 
sions of  our  work  to  give  prominence  to  the  representative 
men  of  the  country  in  every  branch  of  industry.  This 
company,  having  their  own  coal  and  water  from  the  subter- 
ranean depths  beneath  their  works,  are  prepared  to  meet  all 
demands  on  them  for  their  products.  Their  advantages 
place  them  out  of  reach  of  all  competition  from  any 
quarter  at  any  time. 

The  present  value  of  their  works,  with  new  machines 
just  added,  is  $150,000.  Monthly  pay-rolls,  $11,000  to 
to  $13,000 ;  employes  paid  every  two  weeks. 


HON.  HARRY  D.  COOK. 

CITIZEN,   LEGISLATOR  AND  SOLDIER. 


Few  men  are  blessed  with  such  pleasant  memories  from 
those  who  from  association  and  acquaintance  knew  him,  and 
from  his  sterling  qualities  of  head  and  heart,  learned  to 
love  him,  than  our  ou'r  old  friend  whose  well-rounded  life  it 
is  a  pleasure  to  record. 

Harry  DeWitt  Cook  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
New  York,  March  6,  1817.  When  quite  youthful  his  father 
removed  to  Oneida  county,  same  state,  and  Harry  received 
but  the  most  common  rudimental  education.  He  learned 
the  builder's  and  carpenter's  trade,  and  on  attaining  his 
twenty-first  year  he  took  charge  of  a  canal  boat  on  the 
Erie  canal.  He  was  married  January  21,  1841,  to  Joanna 
Hall,  and  followed  the  building  and  carpenter  business  for 
the  next  ten  years,  making  quite  a  reputation  for  the  work 
he  done.  He  removed  to  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1851, 
and  engaged  in  the  construction  department  of  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  when  it  was  put  under  contract.  Ho  was 
employed  in  bridge  building  for  that  road,  owning  a  farm 
in  McLean  county. 

On  the  completion  of  the  Central  Railroad  he  was  ap- 
pointed station  agent  at  Kappa,  Woodford  county,  and 
while  serving  the  interests  of  the  road  was  engaged  in  the 
grain  trade,  in  which  he  continued  until  1860.  During  the 
years  from  1851  to  1860  Mr.  Cook  became  widely  known 


336  FIFTY 


for  his  social  qualities,  his  rare  good  humor,  his  strict  integ- 
rity in  business  and  general  intelligence  on  public  matters. 
He  contributed  to  the  success  of  the  republicans  in  1856 
and  1858-60,  and  when  an  efficient  and  influential  man  was 
required  to  carry  the  legislative  district,  composed  of  the 
counties  of  Putnam,  Marshall  and  Woodford,  in  1860,  he 
was  nominated  as  the  republican  candidate  for  the  legisla- 
ture, and  thoroughly  canvassed  the  district,  was  elected 
by  a  handsome  majority,  and  the  following  January  took 
his  seat  among  the  lawmakers.  He  brought  to  the  per- 
formance of  his  duties  rare  industry  and  intelligence,  no  old 
member  being  so  ready  in  discussing  all  the  great  ques- 
tions that  came  before  the  legislature  at  that  session  than 
he.  At  the  extra  session  in  April,  1861,  called  by  Gov. 
Yates,  he  rendered  most  important  service  in  making  pro- 
vision for  the  troops  then  being  organized  and  hurried  to 
the  front.  He  became  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  military 
spirit  and  assisted  in  the  organization  of  the  Fourth  Illi- 
nois Cavalry,  and  was  elected  captain  of  Company  G,  the 
members  of  the  company  being  mainly  composed  of  his 
neighbors  who  knew  his  worth,  military  genius  and  capacity 
for  leadership. 

He  served  over  three  years,  the  greater  part  of  the  time 
in  most  dangerous  service — scouting  through  Southwestern 
Tennessee  and  Northern  Mississsippi,  and  such  was  his 
thoroughness  that  he  was  promoted  to  major.  If  we  gave 
the  history  of  his  long  service  it  would  be  the  history  of 
the  regiment.  He  was  mustered  out  in  October,  1864,  and 
in  three  days  after  his  arrival  at  home  he  was,  in  Novem- 
ber, 1864,  again  elected  a  member  of  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives from  his  old  district,  and  when  the  legislature 
assembled  he  was  made  chairman  of  the  ccmmittee  on 


HON.    HARRY   D.    COOK.  337 

military  affairs,  and  rendered  efficient  service  in  getting  the 
military  accounts  of  the  state  in  good  shape  to  settle  with 
the  general  government.  On  the  adjournment  of  the  legis- 
lature he  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Oglesby  state  military 
agent,  with  rank  of  colonel.  After  spending  a  few  months 
until  the  war  was  fully  closed  in  visiting  hospitals,  looking 
after  Illinois  soldiers,  he  was  stationed  at  Washington,  and 
took  charge  of  the  collection  of  soldiers7  claims,  settling 
several  thousand  claims  without -any  expense  to  the  claim- 
ants, the  state  paying  him  for  the  service. 

In  1869  he  undertook  the  collection  of  the  disallowed 
war  claims  of  the  state  against  the  government,  and  col- 
lected nearly  $600,000,  a  task  that  could  be  accomplished 
only  by  one  having  "thorough  knowledge  of  the  history  of 
these  claims.  In  the  same  year  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  Normal,  bought  quite  a  little  domain  and  erected 
a  comfortable  house.  In  1873,  having  completed  the 
settlement  of  the  claims  of  the  state  with  the  government, 
his  accounts  were  settled,  he  having  spent  four  years  in  the 
service. 

In  April,  1873,  without  any  solicitation  on  his  part,  he 
was  appointed  by  Gov.  Beveridge  one  of  the  railroad  and 
warehouse  commissioners  for  the  state.  On  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  board  he  was  made  chairman,  lie  served  most 
efficiently  for  about  eight  months.  The  work  was  very 
laborious  and  exhausting  on  him;  so  many  details  in  pre- 
paring the  schedules,  organizing  the  railroad  management 
or  service  to  make  it  correspond  to  the  new  legislation 
enacted  during  the  winter,  that  it  overtaxed  his  powers  of 
endurance  and  brought  on.  ailments  that  were  fastened  on 
his  system  by  exposure  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson,  and 
other  exposure  and  hardships,  and  he  died  at  his  home  in 
22 


338  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Normal,  November  9th,  1873,  leaving  a  wife  and  four 
children,  two  sons  and  two  daughters;  also  an  adopted 
daughter,  Mrs.  W.  H.  McClellan,  of  El  Paso. 

Thus  passed  away  one  of  the  most  genial  and  com- 
panionable men  that  we  ever  numbered  among  the  list  of 
our  friends.  We  knew  him  as  a  business  man,  while  in  the 
service  of  the  railroad,  as  a  merchant  and  produce  dealer, 
and  watched  his  course  with  much  pride  as  a  legislator,  as 
during  his  first  term  we  stood  in  the  relation  of  one  of  his 
constituents.  In  the  army  he  was  the  soldiers'  friend,  they 
trusted  him,  and  as  the  state  agent  at  Washington  he 
secured  many  a  soldier's  claim  that  but  for  his  knowledge  - 
might  have  been  lost. 

He  was  a  model  Christian  gentleman, —  acted  it  in  his 
deportment.  It  was  a  principle  that  governed  him  in  his 
business,  in  his  politics,  as  a  legislator,  a  soldier,  and  after 
the  war  as  a  faithful  servant  of  the  state.  In  every  posi- 
tion of  duty  to  family,  fellowman  or  his  country,  he  per- 
formed well  his  part. 


HON.  GEORGE  C.  BESTOR, 


LATE  MAYOR,  POSTMASTER  AND    SENATOR. 

Of  no  mau  whose  memory  is  associated  with  the  affairs 
of  Peoria  can  it  be  more  truly  said  "  He  being  dead  yet 
sleepeth "  than  of  the  late  George  C.  Bestor.  He  was  a 
man  deservedly  popular  with  all  who  knew  him,  and  be- 
loved by  all  who  were  intimate  enough  with  him  to 
appreciate  his  worth.  Geo.  C.  Bestor  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  on  the  16th  of  April,  1811.  His  father, 
Harvey  Bestor,  removed  from  Massachusetts  and  settled  in 
Washington  at  an  early  day,  and  many  of  the  family  con- 
nections are  residing  there  at  the  present  time.  His  father 
was  assistant  postmaster  general  under  Hon.  Francis 
Granger,  and  was  highly  respected  for  his  talents  and 
virtues.  George  inherited  his  father's  traits  of  character 
and  gave  early  promise  of  the  ability  and  integrity 
which  marked  his  future  career.  As  a  boy  he  manifested 
those  noble  and  generous  qualities  which  endeared  him  to 
so  many  friends,  and  that  conscientiousness  in  the  discharge 
of  duties  which  inspired  confidence  in  his  honor  and  integ- 
rity. At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  appointed  assistant 
document  clerk  of  the  house  of  representatives  upon  the 
recommendation  of  many  of  the  leading  statesmen  of  that 
time  in  Washington,  and  held  the  position  eight  years,  or 
until  1835,  when  he  came  to  Illinois. 


340  FIFTY  YEARS'  KECOLLECTIONS. 

Being  a  young  man  of  energy  and  enterprise,  in  the 
twenty-fifth  year  of  his  age  he  resolved  to  strike  out  into  a 
new  country  where  a  better  field  was  open  for  his  ambition 
and  his  talents  to  achieve  for  himself  a  successful  career. 
Peoria  was  then  one  of  the  most  promising  points  in  the 
West.  It  had  begun  to  grow  in  population.  The  beauty 
and  desirableness  of  the  location  were  attracting  emigration 
from  all  parts  of  the  country.  Here  was  a  desirable  and 
promising  field  for  a  young  man  of  talents  and  enterprise,, 
and  here  Mr.  Bestor  came  to  make  his  future  home,  arriv- 
ing in  Peoria  on  the  3d  of  August,  1835. 

After  settling  here  for  many  years  he  was  engaged  in 
the  real  estate  business,  dealing  in  military  lands,  in  which 
he  accumulated  a  large  property.  From  1835  to  1840  a 
co-partnership  existed  between  him  and  Mark  M.  Aiken, 
in  the  real  estate  business,  during  which  time  they  made 
an  abstract  of  the  Edwardsville  and  Pike  county  records,  a 
voluminous  and  carefully  prepared  work,  showing  the  accu- 
racy, system  and  thoroughness  of  everything  that  passed 
under  the  hand  of  Mr.  Bestor.  On  the  18th  of  February, 
1837,  he  was  elected  trustee  of  the  town  of  Peoria,  and  re- 
elected  on  the  5th  of  November,  1839.  On  the  4th  day  of 
April,  1842,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Peoria  by 
President  Tyler,  and  again  on  the  27th  of  March,  1861,  by 
President  Lincoln,  lie  was  elected  police  justice  in  1843. 
He  was  three  times  elected  mayor  of  the  city  of  Peoria, 
filling  the  seventh,  ninth  and  tenth  places  in  the  list  of 
mayors  with  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  his  con- 
stituents. 

For  several  years  Mr.  Bestor  was  financial  agent,  and 
afterwards  president,  of  the  Peoria  and  Oquawka  Railroad 
Company  (now  the  Peoria  and  Burlington  branch  of  the 


HON.    GEORGE    C.    BESTOR.  341 

Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  Railroad),  and  during  the 
time  he  held  that  position  succeeded  in  extricating  the  com- 
pany from  its  financial  difficulties.  He  was  also  a  director 
of  the  Toledo,  Peoria  and  Warsaw  Railroad  at  the  time  of 
his  death. 

Before  the  organization  of  the  republican  party  Mr. 
Bestor  was  an  earnest  and  devoted  whig.  He  fought  the 
opposition  with  zeal  and  energy,  and  when  defeated  was 
always  ready  to  renew  the  contest.  He  was  a  personal 
iriend  of  Henry  Clay,  to  whom  he  was  ardently  and 
strongly  attached.  In  185-2  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Whig 
National  Convention  that  nominated  General  Scott.  In 
1858  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate  by  a  majority  which 
at  that  time  was  entirely  unexpected  in  a  district  so  strongly 
democratic.  That  was  the  year  of  the  Lincoln  and  Douglas 
joint  campaign  of  Illinois  for  the  United  States  senatorship. 
Mr.  Bestor  espoused  the  cause  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  while  in 
the  senate  had  the  opportunity  of  voting  for  him  in  opposi- 
tion to  Judge  Douglas  for  United  States  senator.  In  the 
campaign  which  followed  in  1860  he  did  his  share  towards 
electing  Mr.  Lincoln  to  the  presidency.  During  that  four 
years  in  the  senate  he  was  on  the  committees  on  canal  and 
canal  lands,  banks  and  corporations,  penitentiary,  swamp 
lands  and  military,  and  was  chairman  of  the  committees  on 
internal  navigation. 

The  Springfield  Journal  of  that  date,  speaking  of  Mr. 
Bestor  in  the  senate,  says : 

"  Senator  Bestor  is  a  first-rate  business  man,  and  is  one 
of  the  best  tacticians  in  the  senate.  He  does  not  inflict 
long  speeches  upon  that  body.  He  is  universally  popular, 
and  his  social  qualities  are  such  as  to  draw  around  him 
hosts  of  friends.  He  possesses  a  fund  of  anecdotes  which 


342  FIFTY    YEARS     RECOLLECTIONS. 

he  relates  with  inimitable  grace.  As  a  citizen  he  stands 
deservedly  high.  He  is  fond  of  his  home  and  its  surround- 
ings, and  his  hand  and  heart  are  open  to  his  friends." 

Almost  everybody  in  Illinois  knew  Mr.  Bestor,  and 
none  knew  him  but  to  love  and  respect  him.  His  name  is 
identified  with  the  early  history  of  Peoria,  and  no  man  con- 
tributed more  to  its  development.  His  genius  and  enter- 
prise are  stamped  upon  its  growth.  At  the  commencement 
of  the  late  civil  war  he  was  an  ardent  patriot,  and  his  tal- 
ents, his  energies  and  his  means  were  devoted  to  the  cause 
of  the  Union.  He  was  widely  known  as  an  influential  man 
in  politics.  Mr.  Lincoln  esteemed  him  highly,  and  Judge 
Douglas,  whom  he  opposed,  said  of  him,  "  There  is  no  man 
in  Illinois  I  respect  more;  what  he  is,  he  is."  He  was 
zealous  in  the  support  of  the  principles  of  his  party,  a  warm 
and  ardent  friend  and  courteous  and  manly  opponent. 

As  a  man  George  C.  Bestor  had  few  superiors.  He 
was  endowed  with  all  the  noble  attributes  of  our  nature. 
Genial,  generous  and  affectionate.  His  manners  were  as 
soft  and  gentle  as  a  woman,  and  his  artlessness  was  that  of 
childhood.  His  heart  was  always  open  to  the  demands  of 
charity,  and  the  poor  will  bless  his  memory. 

For  several  years  before  his  death  Mr.  Bestor  had  spent 
much  time  in  Washington,  prosecuting  a  claim  before  Con- 
gress for  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  thousand  dollars, 
for  gun-boats  built  for  the  government  during  the  war. 
The  construction  of  these  boats  had  reduced  him  almost  to 
poverty,  and  it  is  thought  that  the  trouble  and  anxiety 
growing  out  of  this,  and  what  he  believed  to  be  the  unjust 
delay  of  his  country  in  meeting  his  reasonable  demands, 
added  to  his  feeble  state  of  health,  hastened  his  death. 

He  died  at  the  National  Hotel  in  the  City  of  Washing- 


HON.    GEORGE    C.    BESTOK.  343 

ton,  on  the  14th  day  of  May,  1872.  None  of  his  family 
were  present  at  the  time  of  his  death  except  Mrs.  Bestor. 

He  was  twice  married.  First  on  the  20th  of  October, 
1835,  in  Baltimore,  Maryland,  to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Thomas, 
and  second  on  the  13th  of  September,  1848,  to  Miss  Sarah 
E.  Thomas,  sister  of  his  former  wife.  He  left  by  his  first 
wife  four  children,  now  living,  and  the  same  number  by  his 
second  marriage. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Bestor  was  a  great  loss  to  the  com- 
munity at  large,  but  especially  to  Peoria,  with  whose  inter- 
ests his  life  has  been  so  long  identified. 

Few  men  have  been  so  long  in  public  or  have  closed 
their  career  with  a  more  honorable  record.  From  sixteen 
years  of  age  until  the  time  of  his  death,  a  period  of  forty- 
five  years,  he  was  connected  with  public  affairs,  and  in  all 
the  responsible  offices  he  filled  preserved  his  integrity  un- 
sullied to  the  last.  His  example  will  long  be  remembered, 
and  his  noble  qualities  in  the  various  stations  of  life  will 
exert  their  influences  on  generations  yet  to  come.  He  was 
a  true  man,  a  friend  and  benefactor  to  the  poor,  a  generous, 
confiding,  faithful  friend,  an  ardent  patriot,  and  an  affec- 
tionate husband  and  father. 

His  death  is  mourned  by  his  friends  everywhere,  but 
most  deeply  at  the  hearthstone,  where  he  was  the  adored 
idol  of  his  wife  and  children. 

While  his  body  lay  in  the  parlor  of  the  National  Hotel, 
preparatory  to  being  forwarded  home,  his  friends  from  Illi- 
nois gathered  around  his  remains.  There  were  present  of 
his  old  friends,  Judge  Merriman,  Hon.  E.  C.  Ingersoll  and 
Col.  A.  C.  Babcock,  and  Representatives  Stevens,  Snapp, 
Farwell  and  others.  At  five  P.  M.  his  remains  were  shipped 
forward  to  Peoria  and  interred  in  the  family  lot  at  Spring- 
dale  Cemetery. 


HON.  JOSEPH  J.  CASSELL. 

LATE  JUDGE  OF  THE  CITY  COURT   OF  EL  PASO. 

The  lawyer  and  jurist  of  to-day  —  the  present  time  —  to 
be  competent  to  meet  the  requirements  of  his  profession 
must  be  a  thorough  and  diligent  student  —  must  keep  pace 
with  the  advances  made  in  his  profession  and  its  collateral 
branches.  A  legal  and  judicial  light,  bidding  fair  to  attain 
the  first  magnitude,  went  out  on  a  bleak  November  day  of 
1880. 

Joseph  J.  Cassell,  to  whose  memory  this  sketch  of  a 
short  but  noble  life  is  dedicated,  was  born  in  Wood- 
ford  county,  Illinois,  October  7th,  1841.  He  was  the 
son  of  Hon.  Kobert  T.  Cassell  and  Rebecca  Perry  Cassell. 
He  was  a  close  student,  even  while  attending  the  common 
schools,  and  early  read  law  in  his  father's  office  before 
attending  schools  where  the  higher  branches  were  taught. 
He  took  a  regular  course  of  study  and  graduated  at  the 
Chicago  University,  and  afterwards  completed  a  regular 
legal  course  in  the  law  department  of  that  institution, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1864,  and  for  a  time  practiced  as 
a  member  of  the  well-known  legal  firm  of  Ingersoll,  Cas- 
sell &  Harper.  In  the  year  1867  he  removed  to  El  Paso 
and  formed  a  law  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  John 
T.  Harper,  which  continued  until  1873.  He  was  married 
to  Miss  Mae  A.  McNeal  July  23,  1868,  and  from  this  union 


HON.  JOSEPH    J.    CASSELL.  345 

was  born  four  children,  two  of  whom  survive,  both  boys. 
This  union  was  very  pleasant  and  harmonious. 

Mr.  Cassell  possessed  large  elements  of  popularity,  was 
genial  in  manner,  sociable,  related  an  anecdote  well  when 
surrounded  by  an  appreciative  circle,  and  when  left  to  him- 
self was  inclined  to  hard  study,  and  was  practical  and  earnest 
when  roused  to  action,  possessing  powers  of  eloquence.  He 
was  twice  elected  judge  of  the  recorder's  court,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  the  candi- 
date for  elector  in  1876,  on  the  republican  ticket,  for  the 
Eighth  Congressional  district.  In  1879  he  was  spoken  of 
for  the  circuit  judgeship  in  the  Peoria,  Putnam,  Marshall, 
Stark  and  Woodford  circuit,  but  yielded  the  precedence  to 
Judge  N.  W.  Laws.  In  1880  he  was  nominated  by  the  re- 
publicans of  his  senatorial  district  for  senator.  He  was  in 
feeble  health,  and  gave  to  the  canvass  so  much  of  his 
strength  that  the  exertion  was  too  much  of  a  tax  on  his 
vital  powers  and  he  was  forced  to  take  to  his  bed  before  the 
election  took  place.  He  was  devoted  to  his  principles, 
assiduous  for  the  success  of  his  party,  and  where  he  lived 
.he  was  considered  its  ablest  champion,  its  Achilles — its 
strong  arm.  He  did  effective  work;  in  his  labor  he  was 
indefatigable.  But  it  was  in  his  social  relations  to  his 
neighbors  and  friends  that  his  character  was  most  resplend- 
ent. He  forgave  injuries  and  never  forsook  a  friend.  He 
kept  an  open  house  for  the  destitute  and  showered  favors 
on  the  needy.  The  community  and  county  in  which  he  was 
born  will  never  cease  to  honor  his  integrity,  admire  his 
warm  and  liberal  qualities,  and  remember  him  with  fondest 
regrets  and  most  tender  recollections.  No  man  ever  lived 
more  in  and  for  his  family  than  he.  His  love  for  them  was 
unbounded.  He  was  a  play-fellow  with  his  children,  com- 


346  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

ing  down  at  his  home  to  their  childish  pranks,  becoming  a 
real  companion  to  them,  and  in  their  childish  sorrow  shared 
it  with  them.  By  his  devoted  wife  he  was  loved  with  an 
affection  that  few  experience,  and  that  some  cannot  appre- 
ciate. His  hearth  and  family  circle  looked  gladness  —  his 
home  a  perpetual  summer. 

Such  was  Joseph  J.  Cassell,  faithful  to  his  clients  as  a 
lawyer,  just  and  incorruptible  as  a  judge,  for  his  chosen 
principles  an  outspoken  advocate,  a  friend  to  his  state  and 
kind,  and  true  to  his  family  obligations  as  a  youth  dutiful 
to  his  parents,  kind  to  his  brothers,  and  shedding  in  his 
career  a  gentle  halo  over  all  mankind. 


HON.  LEVI  NORTH. 


ARTIST,  POLITICAL  ECONOMIST  AND  LEGISLATOR. 


If  a  life  spent  in  pursuits  useful  to  others  is  worthy  of 
respect  and  remembrance,  then  the  following  sketch 
deserves  a  place  here. 

Levi  North  was  born  in  Turin,  Lewis  county,  N.  Y.,. 
March  12,  1821.  His  father,  about  eight  years  after, 
moved  to  High  market,  an  adjoining  town,  where  he 
remained  till  in  the  spring  of  1834,  when  he  settled  near 
Mount  Vernon,  Ohio.  Here  Levi  completed  his  school 
education  in  a  log  schoolhouse,  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years, 
with  the  exception  of  a  couple  of  months  in  Lowville 
(N.  Y.)  Academy,  in  1837.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and 
he  learned  to  chop  wood  and  do  ordinary  farm  labor,  but 
not  being  very  robust  he  preferred  mechanical  labor,  and 
engaged  more  or  less  in  mechanical  pursuits. 

At  seventeen  he  discovered  by  accident  that  he  had  a 
marked  ability  for  drawing,  and  through  the  friendly  encour- 
agement of  others  he  was  led  to  practice  it,  and  finally  to 
undertake  portrait  painting.  But  there  was  no  one  near  to 
teach  him  either  drawing  or  painting,  and  he  had  no  money 
to  defray  the  expense  of  obtaining  instruction  abroad.  He 
therefore  read  all  he  could  find  on  the  subject  and  pursued 
his  studies  without  assistance.  The  next  year  he  quit  farm 
life  and  depended  thenceforth  upon  his  art.  He  studied 


348 

from  life.  He  never  even  had  the  benefit  of  a  good  picture 
to  look  at  until  his  twentieth  year. 

With  such  a  meagre  education  he  had  to  rely  upon  such 
reading  as  an  itinerant  portrait  painter  could  get  from  bor- 
rowed books  in  a  country  where  books  were  scarce.  But 
his  occupation  brought  him  into  contact  with  the  best 
educated  and  most  intelligent  as  well  as  best  class  of  people, 
and  from  them  he  imbibed  a  wide  range  of  ideas  not 
accessible  to  young  men  in  general.  For  these  opportuni- 
ties he  was  duly  grateful.  He  spent  the  winter  of  1841-42 
in  Columbus,  where  the  legislature  and  the  state  and 
United  States  courts  being  in  session,  he  saw  much  of  the 
grand  public  men  of  those  days.  This  awakened  a  new 
train  of  thought.  He  discovered  new  needs.  He  had 
already  found  time  to  read  widely  of  anatomy,  physiology 
and  medicine — he  wanted  to  know  something  of  law.  So, 
after  teaching  a  village  school  in  the  winter  of  1843,  he 
entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  E.  W.  Cotton,  at  Mt.  Ver- 
non,  and  studied  as  he  could  find  opportunity,  working 
meanwhile  at  his  art  and  teaching  another  winter,  till,  in 
October,  1845,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  He  did  not 
study  law  with  a  view  to  practicing  that  profession,  but 
merely  as  an  accomplishment  well  calculated  to  enlarge  his 
mind  and  to  better  fit  him  to  associate  with  his  employers. 
His  artist  life  had  been  spent  to  a  great  extent  among  pro- 
fessional men,  and  he  came  to  respect  their  intelligence  and 
broad  views. 

He  remained  in  Ohio  till  May,  1847,  when  he  came  to 
Peoria,  where  he  spent  a  year  mostly  in  pursuit  of  his  art. 
He  then  went  to  Princeton,  where  he  spent  the  years  in 
various  kinds  of  business  until  1853,  when  he  became  clerk 
for  the  late  Judge  Kelsey,  who  was  a  real  estate  dealer. 


HON.    LEVI     NORTH.  349 

He  was  shortly  afterwards  elected  police  magistrate,  and 
served  four  years.  This  brought  him  again  in  contact  with 
lawyers  and  legal  business.  He  then  drifted  into  law 
practice,  and  has  ever  since  been  a  fairly  successful  lawyer. 
In  1860  he  moved  to  Kewanee,  and  shortly  after  became 
the  partner  of  Judge  John  H.  Howe  and  continued  with 
him  till  1869,  when  Judge  Howe  was  appointed  Chief 
Justice  of  Wyoming  Territory. 

Mr.  North  was  always  a  vigorous  hater  of  all  shams, 
whether  in  business,  morals,  religion  or  politics,  and  in  a 
corresponding  degree  he  loves  honesty  wherever  it  is  found. 
Position,  power,  wealth,  reputation,  are  to  him  nothing. 
Faithfulness  and  honesty  —  downright  honesty  —  commands 
his  most  sincere  respect.  In  religion,  therefore,  he  believes 
that  only  is  good  which  makes  men  live  better  lives.  Good 
works  is  the  only  evidence  he  will  receive  to  show  that  any 
man's  religion  is  a  good  one  for  its  possessor,  or  indeed, 
good  for  any  one.  It  was  natural  that  any  person  having 
such  a  mind,  though  brought  up  as  Mr.  North  was,  a  dem- 
ocrat, should  care  little  for  his  party  as  such.  He  faithfully 
believed  in  the  fundamental  principles  of  that  party  as  pro- 
fessed at  the  time  he  became  an  interested  spectator  of 
political  management,  but  in  1843  he  became  fully  satisfied 
that,  while  those  principles  were  true  and  wise,  his  party, 
as  such,  utterly  disregarded  them,  as  it  has  done  ever  since. 
He  has  no  gala-day  principles,  none  that  were  too  nice  for 
every-day  use,  none  whose  practice  should  be  delayed,  or 
whose  application  ^  should  not  be  to  all  men  alike.  His 
logical  mind  and  strong  love  of  justice  could  only  see  that 
all  men  were  equal  in  their  rights  before  the  law,  and  that 
sex  and  color  were  not  grounds  for  exception.  He  became 
an  outspoken  abolitionist,  and  as  he  could  perceive  no 


350  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

action  of  either  the  Whig  or  Democratic  parties  looking 
toward  the  abolition  of  slavery,  or  in  any  manner  restrain- 
ing its  extension,  he  joined  his  fortunes  with  the  Liberty 
Party,  organized  only  the  year  before.  Henceforth  he  was 
an  active  worker  in  the  cause  of  the  slave.  In  1844  he 
delivered  a  score  of  speeches  and  voted  for  James  G. 
Birney  for  president.  Personal  consequences  of  every  kind 
calculated  to  influence  so  young  a  man  were  paraded  be- 
fore him  to  induce  him  to  unite  again  with  each  of  the  pro- 
slavery  parties,  but  he  was  prepared  for  any  sacrifice  and 
remained  firm  to  his  convictions.  He  has  never  wavered 
in  his  adhesion  to  advanced  principles  of  justice. 

Others  before  him  had  championed  emancipation  in 
Peoria,  but  none  advocated  it  without  meeting  demonstra- 
tions of  the  mob  spirit.  Samuel  Davis,  Moses  Pettingill, 
Mark  M.  Aiken,  D.  D.  Irons,  and  a  gentleman  by  the  name 
of  Adams,  constitute  about  alt  of  the  outspoken  friends  of 
the  slave  in  the  city  in  1847.  In  December  of  that  year 
Mr.  North  met  Rev.  D.  J.  Snow,  a  traveling  lecturer  for  the 
American  Colonization  Society,  in  debate,  each  defending 
his  own  party  principles,  objects  and  plans.  Here,  by  skill- 
ful manoeuvering,  he  arranged  to  have  Mr.  Snow  speak  last, 
and  thereby  he  gained  an  opportunity  to  present  his  party's 
principles,  objects  and  plans  in  a  clear  orderly  manner, 
without  interruption,  and  with  good  effect,  thus  using  Mr. 
Snow  to  secure  him  an  audience  and  the  requisite  good 
order.  He  was  always  proud  of  this  as  being  the  first 
abolition  speech  ever  delivered  in  peace  in  Peoria. 

In  September,  1848,  while  coming  round  the  lakes  on  a 
steamer,  Abraham  Lincoln,  then  a  member  of  Congress, 
with  his  family,  including  the  present  secretary  of  war,  then 
a  little  boy,  was  aboard.  A  young  man,  the  late  D.  D. 


HON.    LEVI    NORTH.  351 


Driscoll,  from  Stark  county,  also  a  passenger,  proposed  a 
political  debate  and  made  provision  for  it  in  the  cabin. 
Mr.  North  was  to  defend  the  free  soil  party's  cause  and  he 
supposed  Mr.  Driscoll  was  to  defend  the  whig  cause. 
But  when  the  time  arrived  Mr.  Driscoll  introduced  to  him 
and  the  audience  Hon.  Abraham  Lincoln.  The  debate 
was  held  in  the  afternoon  of  one  day  and  the  evening  of  the 
next.  Mr.  North  always  expressed  a  high  opinion  of  Mr. 
Lincoln  personally,  and  of  his  fairness  and  ability  in  that 
debate,  but  thinks  he  could  then  be  entirely  at  home  only 
in  discussion  with  democrats.  Democratic  principles  and 
practices  Mr.  Lincoln  seemed  to  fully  understand.  The 
principles  and  history  of  the  liberty  party  he  had  no  knowl- 
edge of  at  the  time,  and  he  seemed  not  to  comprehend  the 
ideas  of  free  soilers.  Indeed,  in  Sangamon  county,  where  he 
lived,  there  was  but  one  abolition  voter  until  about  the 
organization  of  the  free  soil  party,  and  one  could  count 
them  all  in  that  part  of  the  state  on  his  fingers. 

From  that  time  forward  Mr.  North  wrote  much  for  the 
press.  He  was  fearless  in  the  defence  of  what  he  deemed 
right,  and  in  attacking  bad  measures  and  practices  of  all 
parties.  He  had  no  faculty  for  worshiping  the  political 
gods  of  his  time.  He  believed  the  noblest  statesmen  of  the 
last  half  century  were  Mr.  Sumner  and  Mr.  Chase.  The 
most  of  the  rest  were  fractional  men,  able  and  useful  often 
in  the  advocacy  of  measures,  but  not  steadily  reliable  in 
their  judgement  concerning  what  those  measures  should  be. 
They  were  advocates,  sometimes  on  the  right  side  and  some- 
times on  the  wr,ong,  and  generally  looking  only  to  present 
effects  of  great  measures  instead  of  probable  future  results. 
Such  he  considered  the  advocates  of  high  protective  tariffs 
and  the  loose  railroad  laws  of  the  country  to  be.  They 


352  FIFTY   YEARS7  RECOLLECTIONS. 

served  the  selfish  interests  of  the  few  rather  than  the  highest 
interests  of  all,  and  this  did  not  rise  to  the  dignity  of  true 
statesmanship. 

In  1870  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  Illinois  legislature.  Here,  during  the  winters  of 
1871—72,  he  made  himself  useful  in  the  revision  and  adop- 
tion of  the  statutes  to  the  new  constitution.  He  led  the 
majority  in  the  struggle  against  extreme  high  salaries  for 
state  officers.  He  maintained  that  while  a  reasonable  com- 
pensation was  due  to  our  public  servants,  the  extreme  high 
salaries  proposed  for  our  officers  (the  question  of  judicial 
salaries  was  then  under  consideration)  would  tempt  the 
worse  class  of  aspirants  to  seek  those  places  and  furnish  the 
means  to  purchase  them  through  the  aid  of  corruption. 
And  he  said  that  even  a  half  of  the  salary  he  was  now  will- 
ing to  pay  had  given  us  better  judges  and  governors  than 
he  really  had  an  expectation  of  obtaining  in  the  future.  He 
was  not  willing  to  compete  for  judges  in  the  market  with 
railroads,  nor  did  he  want  the  class  of  men  they  would  em- 
ploy. The  great  advocate  always  found  it  difficult  to  be- 
come an  unpartisan  judge. 

He  was  an  active  worker  for  the  license  law  passed  in 
1872,  requiring  the  keepers  of  saloons  to  give  bond  for  the 
payment  of  damages  in  case  of  certain  injuries  caused  by 
the  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors.  He  was  an  active  and 
influential  worker  in  favor  of  our  present  system  of  peni- 
tentiary management,  and  estimates  with  some  pride  that 
while  it  is  more  humane,  it  saves  to  the  state  nearly  a  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars  each  year  that  would  have  been  lost 
by  the  adoption  of  either  of  the  three  other  proposed  plans. 
But  he  lays  no  claim  to  having  originated  it.  He  gives  the 
credit  of  this  to  Gov.  Palmer  and  Senator  Snapp,  but  it 
was  voted^for  by  republicans  only. 


HON.    LEVI   NORTH.  353 


As  a  lawyer  he  always  held  that  the  duties  of  his  pro- 
fession did  not  require  him  to  do  a  dishonest  act.  He 
believed  that  professional  life  did  not  require  him  to  belittle 
his  manhood,  and  that  a  lawyer  could  never  rightfully 
become  a  journeyman  liar,  for  it  was  as  dishonest  and 
degrading,  and  everyway  as  deserving  of  censure  to  lie  and 
cheat  in  the  interest  of  a  client  as  if  done  for  himself.  But 
he  held  that  lawyers  were  fully  as  honest  as  their  patrons 
desired  them  to  be,  and  on  the  whole"  were  far  better  men 
than  the  majority  of  the  public  who  supported  them.  If 
the  bar  ever  became  better  it  would  be  the  result  of  more 
correct  and  honest  maxims  of  conduct  among  the  people. 
Notwithstanding  his  low  estimate  of  the  bar  in  general,  it 
always  seemed  to  him  that  law  was  the  noblest  and  most 
useful  of  the  professions  in  the  hands  of  high-minded  men. 
In  this  estimate  the  author  has  drawn  on  his  remembrance 
of  Mr.  North  while  residing  at  Peoria,  Princeton  and 
Kewanee,  both  as  a  citizen  and  professionally.  There  are 
other  prominent  citizens  of  Henry  county  deserving  like 
recognition,  sketches  of  whom  are  prepared,  but  for  want 
of  space  deferred  until  the  appearance  of  the  next  volume. 


GEO.  W.  BKOWN. 


INVENTOR  AND  MANUFACTURER. 


It  is  remarkable  how  great  a  majority  of  the  men  who 
have  risen  to  distinction  and  conferred  lasting  benefits 
upon  humanity,  commenced  life  poor  and  with  nothing  but 
ability  and  pluck  with  which  to  work  out  success.  Among 
those  to  whom  we  will  call  special  attention  is  Mr.  George 
W.  Brown,  of  Galesburg,  111.,  the  inventor  and  extensive 
manufacturer  of  corn  planters.  Mr.  Brown  commenced 
life  in  poverty.  He  was  'born  in  Clifton  Park  township, 
Saratoga  county,  New  York,  on  the  29th  day  of  October, 
1815.  He  remained  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born  until 
he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  to  learn  the 
trade  of  a  carpenter,  a  trade  which  he  followed  for  many 
years.  He  remembers  the  first  boat  that  passed  through 
the  Erie  canal,  bearing  DeWitt  Clinton  and  other  distin- 
guished persons.  He  assisted  in  building  the  railroad  from 
Albany  to  Schenectady,  sixteen  miles,  which  was  the  only 
road  in  the  United  States,  except  a  line  of  about  the  same 
length  running  out  of  Baltimore ;  the  cars  run  at  that  time 
were  a  little  larger  than  a  stage  coach.  The  first  train  over 
the  line  carried  several  distinguished  excursionists,  among 
them  the  venerable  Thurlow  Weed.  Mr.  Brown  was  the 
first  track-master  of  this  road.  Before  he  was  of  age  Mr. 
Brown  married  Maria  Turpening,  who  has  been  in  a  true 
sense  a  helpmate.  Both  were  at  the  time  of  the  union 


GEO.    W.    BEOWN.  355 


Methodists,  and  have  remained  members  of  the  same  church 
until  this  day.  Some  near  relatives  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown 
having  gone  to  Illinois  and  sent  back  glowing  accounts  of 
the  new  country,  they  determined  to  go  there  and  build  up 
their  fortunes.  There  being  no  railroads  they  bought  a 
team  and  wagon,  loaded  all  of  their  worldly  effects  and 
started  out  on  their  long  journey.  During  almost  the  en- 
tire trip  it  rained  and  the  roads  were  almost  impassable,  but 
in  July,  1836,  they  located  on  a  farm  near  what  is  now 
Tylerville,  nine  miles  northwest  from  Galesburg.  He 
traded  his  team  for  eighty  acres  of  land,  built  a  log  house 
for  himself  and  several  of  his  neighbors  by  working  at  his 
trade  while  his  wife  conducted  the  farm.  There  are  many 
houses  now  in  the  vicinity  of  Tylerville,  Shanghai,  and  that 
section  of  the  country,  that  were  built  by  Mr.  Brown  when 
he  was  following  the  carpenter's  trade.  Being  both  a 
farmer  and  a  mechanic  Mr.  Brown  gave  much  thought  to 
improving  farm  machinery.  Crude  as  the  cultivator  of 
1848  was,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  remodeling  it  into  a  corn 
planter.  His  idea  was  to  drop  three  rows  at  once,  setting 
the  shovels  the  required  distance  apart  for  the  rows,  while 
a  man  walking  behind  the  planter  should  operate  the  slide 
which  permitted  the  kernels  of  corn  to  drop  into  the  furrow 
prepared  by  the  shovel.  The  wheels  that  followed  to  do 
the  covering  were  sections  of  logs  sawed  off  and  attached  to 
the  planter.  In  the  spring  of  1851  Mr.  Brown  completed 
the  first  corn  planter  of  the  present  style,  and  planted  corn 
with  it  in  May  of  that  year. 

In  1852  he  planted  about  25  acres  of  corn,  and  demon- 
strated that  he  had  invented  the  principle  which  has  been 
the  foundation  of  subsequent  planters.  He  was  without 
means,  had  sold  his  property  and  about  all  his  personal 


356  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

effects  to  complete  one  machine  and  get  his  patents,  but 
with  prophetic  eye  he  saw  that  it  must  be  used.  It  was  the 
coming  idea  in  machinery,  and  he  sold  his  farm,  went 
deeply  into  debt  for  more  money,  and  took  the  chances  of 
success.  He  had  made  a  name  for  honesty  and  integrity, 
and  his  creditors  gave  him  more  time  and  he  persevered. 

He  began  manufacturing  in  Shanghai,  a  few  miles  from 
Galesburg,  and  in  1853  completed  twelve  machines,  one  of 
which  planted  that  year  three  hundred  acres  of  corn.  In 
1854  he  made  one  hundred  machines,  and  ,in  1855  three 
hundred  machines,  after  which  he  moved  his  shop  to  Gales- 
burg.  Mr.  Brown  knew  the  machine  would  plant  corn  and 
do  it  well ;  the  few  farmers  who  had  planted  with  it  and 
seen  the  growth  from  the  planting,  knew  it  would,  but 
these  were  so  few  that  the  great  army  of  farmers  knew 
nothing  about  it  and  were  skeptical.  The  planters  were  in- 
troduced by  sending  out  agents  with  one  on  a  wagon  to 
demonstrate  that  it  was  practical.  This  made  the  expense  of 
introducing  them  very  great ;  in  fact,  it  is  stated  by  those 
who  claim  to  know,  that  it  was  more  than  ten  years  before 
Mr.  Brown  had  made  a  dollar  out  of  his  invention.  From, 
that  time  forward  success  was  waiting  his  nod,  and  the  busi- 
ness increased  with  remarkable  rapidity.  With  the  increased 
popularity  of  his  invention  Mr.  B.  encountered  new  obsta- 
cles, other  manufacturers  appropriated  his  ideas  and  devices 
and  began  the  manufacture.  His  only  protection  against 
these  infringers  was  the  courts,  and  to  these  he  appealed 
and  established  the  validity  of  his  patents,  which  made 
those  who  had  trespassed  on  his  inventions  pay  him  tribute. 

This  business  has  steadily  grown  until  now  it  is  the 
largest,  finest  and  best  equipped  corn  planter  manufactory 
in  the  world.  In  1880  this  business  was  incorporated 


GEO.   W.    BROWN. 


357 


under  the  name  of  George  W.  Brown  &  Co.,  with  a  paid  up 
capital  of  $300,000.  Its  officers  are,  George  W.  Brown, 
President ;  I.  S.  Perkins,  Vice-President ;  L.  Stevens,  Sec- 
retary ;  Jas.  E.  Brown,  Treasurer ;  M.  T.  Perrin,  Supt. 

Of  late  years  other  implements  have  been  added  to  this 
business,  such  as  check-rowers,  stalk-cutters,  plow  sulkies, 
listers  and  cultivators,  of  which  many  thousand  are  annually 
made  and  sold,  many  of  which  find  a  market  outside  of  our 
own  country.  Russia,  Japan,  Germany,  England,  Aus- 
tralia, New  Zealand,  South  America  and  Mexico,  each  have 
been  benefited  by  this  wonderful  production. 


BROWN'S  CORN  PLANTER  WORKS,  GALESBURG,  ILLINOIS. 

The  above  cut  shows  the  present  style  of  Brown's  Corn 
Planter  Works,  which  are  wholly  composed  of  brick  and 
stone  with  slate  roofs,  making  them  nearly  fire-proof. 
They  are  provided  with  steam  heating,  steam  pump  and 
water  pipes  throughout,  for  extinguishing  fire,  and  they 
have  all  the  modern  machinery  necessary  for  the  success  of 
this  great  manufacturing  interest.  Some  idea  of  the  growth 


358  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

and  magnitude  of  this  business  may  be  formed  when  it  i& 
known  that  over  three  hundred  workmen  are  employed,  re- 
ceiving in  wages  annually  about  $140,000,  and  consuming 
in  material  more  than  half  a  million  feet  of  lumber,  three 
thousand  tons  of  coal,  four  hundred  tons  of  castings,  two- 
hundred  and  fifty  tons  of  wrought  iron  and  steel,  twenty 
tons  of  paint  and  oil,  besides  large  quantities  of  bolts  and 
screws,  and  numerous  other  articles  not  named. 

With  Mr.  Brown's  successes  have  grown  also  a  spirit  of 
enterprise  and  benevolence.  The  evidence  of  his  public 
spirit  is  found  in  many  things  about  the  city  of  his  adop- 
tion. Brown's  hotel,  built  by  him,  is  an  honor  to  its  builder 
and  the  city.  The  Methodist  church  has  received  liberally 
from  him,  and  no  deserving  charity  is  turned  away  from 
him  without  help.  He  is  a  conscientious  manufacturer,  a 
desirable  citizen,  a  good  neighbor,  and  a  consistent  Chris- 
tian gentlemen. 


JOHN  CARROLL  POWER. 


STATE  AND  NATIONAL  HISTORIAN. 


A  faithful  chronicler  of  historic  facts  deserves  to  live  in 
the  memory  of  tbe  people.  Such  a  man,  tried  and  true,  we 
present  in  the  person  represented  by  our  present  sketch. 

John  Carroll  Power  was  born  September  19,  1819,  in 
Fleming  county,  Kentucky.  His  grandfather  and  six  of 
his  grand-uncles  were  soldiers  in  the  revolution  from  Lou- 
don  county,  Virginia.  They  were  a  lucky  seven  and  served 
their  country  to  the  end  of  the  war,  sometimes  all  being 
engaged  at  the  same  time.  After  the  cruel  war  was  over 
this  branch  of  the  family  crossed  the  Alleghauies  on  pack 
horses,  embarked  on  boats  at  Fort  DuQuesne  (Pitts- 
burg),  and  floated  down  the  Ohio,  landing  at  Limestone 
(Maysville),  and  settled  on  territory  afterwards  organized 
as  Fleming  county,  and  here  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
born. 

His  father  owned  a  few  slaves,  among  them  a  woman 
and  three  children.  His  uncle  owned  her  husband,  the 
brothers  agreeing  not  to  make  a  sale  that  would  separate 
the  husband  and  wife.  For  some  cause  the  woman  and 
children  were  sold  to  a  neighbor  under  pledge  that  they 
should  not  be  sold,  causing  separation  of  husband,  wife  and 
children. 

This  man  dealer  took  advantage  of  the  sympathetic 
feelings  of  the  brothers  to  drive  a  close  bargain,  for  he  soon 
after  sold  them  for  double  what  he  gave.  They  were 


360  FIFTY    YEARS'    RECOLLECTIONS. 

bound,  thrown  into  a  wagon,  drawn  to  the  Ohio,  placed  on 
a  boat,  and  never  again  heard  from  by  the  husband,  who 
was  more  intelligent  than  the  man  who  had  sold  his  wife 
and  children.  This  woman  had  cared  for  the  children  of 
the  elder  Power  with  the  tenderness  of  a  mother,  and  from 
the  time  of  this  legal  abduction  he  abhorred  slavery  and 
always  expected  it  would  pass  away  with  an  almost  Egyp- 
tian destruction  in  the  redemption  of  the  bondmen,  but  his 
powrers  of  prescience  were  not  sufficiently  acute  to  penetrate 
the  near  future  to  know  that  it  would  be  accomplished  in 
his  day. 

There  was  not  such  an  institution  as  a  public  school  in 
Kentucky  at  that  time,  and  he  left  his  native  state  in  his 
twenty-second  year  with  but  the  simplest  rudiments  of  an 
education.  Mr.  Power  takes  pleasure  in  attributing  to  a 
great  extent  the  measure  of  success  he  has  attained,  both 
morally  and  mentally,  to  his  selection  of  a  wife. 

He  was  married  May  14, 1845,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Harris, 
at  Aurora,  Indiana,  a  short  distance  below  Cincinnati. 
Miss  Harris  was  born  there  October  1st,  1824,  of  English 
parentage.  Her  grandfather  on  the  maternal  side  was 
rector  of  a  simple  parish  church  of  England,  near  Man- 
chester, for  more  than  a  third  of  a  century.  Mrs.  Power 
being  a  graduate  of  a  female  college,  her  husband  solicited 
her  aid  in  mental  culture,  which  was  cheerfully  rendered, 
and  "  polished  off  our  diamond  in  the  rough,"  she  teaching 
and  he  receiving  instruction,  both  better  than  they  knew, 
for  he  soon  discovered  a  strong  inclination  to  fix  his 
thoughts  on  paper,  and  through  the  press  became  a  teacher 
in  turn ;  "  not  hiding  his  light  under  a  bushel/7  but  letting 
his  thoughts  run  fancy  free.  He  thus  was  not  long  in  dis- 
covering his  vocation.  He  thus  continued  to  cultivate 


• 


JOHN   CARROLL    POWERS.  361 

habits  of  study,  but  he  says  without  any  thought  of  be- 
coming an  author  till  well  advanced  in  life. 

But  finally  the  "divine  afflatus"  seized  him  and  carried 
him  a  willing  captive,  leastwise  he  was  not  unmindful  of 
the  promptings  of  his  genius,  and  his  first  effort  in  author- 
ship was  a  success.  He  wrote  an  essay  on  "  Self-education," 
for  which  the  Illinois  State  Agricultural  Society  awarded 
him  a  medal  in  1858.  This  was  revised  and  published  in 
"  Harkness'  Magazine,"  the  editor  expressing  the  opinion 
that  those  who  read  it  would  find  it  "  one  of  the  most 
profitable,  instructive,  and  mentally  and  morally  invigorat- 
ing essays  they  ever  read."  This  was  high  praise  from  a 
source  competent  to  judge. 

His  next  effort,  the  "  History  of  the  Rise  and 
•Progress  of  Sunday  Schools,"  published  in  1864  by  Sheldon 
&  Co.,  of  New  York,  was  his  first  publication  in  book 
form.  After  an  additional  study  of  twenty  years  he  has  it 
re-written  and  nearly  ready  for  the  press,  under  the  title  of 
"  History  of  Sunday  Schools  and  Life  of  William  Fox, 
Founder  of  the  First  Sunday  Society  in  the  World."  He 
has  written  several  books  and  pamphlets  on  various  sub- 
jects, also  magazine  articles  on  a  variety  of  topics.  An 
open  letter  by  him  to  the  postmaster-general  on  the  subject 
of  addressing  mail  matter,  is  a  brief  and  interesting  maga- 
zine article. 

After  four  years  of  incessant  labor  by  him,  and  two 
years  by  his  estimable  wife,  he  brought  out  his  "  History 
'of  the  Early  Settlers  of  Sangamon  County."  It  is  a  book 
of  800  octavo  pages,  a  work  well  done,  giving  great  satis- 
faction. 

Thousands  will  remember  him  as  the  genial  custodian 
of  the  National  Lincoln  Monument  at  Springfield,  Illinois. 


362  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

It  has  been  said  of  Power  that  he  can  give  a  visitor  more 
information  about  Lincoln  and  the  monument  in  twenty 
minutes  than  could  possibly  be  obtained  in  any  other  way  in 
as  many  hours.  His  position  there  is  due  to  the  fact  that 
he  has  written  a  history  of  the  monument  combined  with 
the  life  of  Lincoln,  which  is  now  in  its  third  edition.  His 
nine  years'  service  as  custodian  has  enabled  him  to  become 
conversant  with  every  event  in  the  history  of  the  monu- 
ment, and  almost  every  incident  in  the  life  of  Lincoln. 

Now  that  the  monument  is  completed  he  is  preparing 
to  combine  with  the  history  a  more  elaborate  life  of  Lin- 
coln than  anything  heretofore  published.  But  good  men 
are  subject  to  criticism,  and  Mr.  Power  is  no  exception- 
Some  people  are  determined  not  to  be  pleased  with  any- 
thing, so  some  people  criticize  his  kind  efforts  to  entertain 
them  when  they  visit  the  monument.  In  a  humorous  reply 
to  a  censorious  newspaper  attack  by  a  visitor  at  the  monu- 
ment, Mr.  Power  relates  in  his  book  on  Lincoln  and  the 
monument  the  best  joke  we  remember  to  have  seen  about 
sleeping  in  church,  and  it  is  all  the  better  for  being  at  his 
own  expense.  He  says :  "  One  of  my  weaknesses  from 
boyhood  has  been  sleeping  in  church.  I  was  compelled  to 
do  it  in  self-defense.  Perhaps  you  ask,  how  ?  For  fifteen 
years  or  more  I  was  required  to  attend  services  on  Saturday 
and  Sunday  in  each  month  at  a  genuine  Simon-pure  old- 
fashioned^  hard-shell  Baptist  church  in  Kentucky.  Such  a 
church  was  never  known  to  exist  north  of  the  Ohio,  and  I 
doubt  if  it  can  exist  in  the  south  much  longer.  During  all 
these  fifteen  years  I  sat  under  the  same  sermon,  from  the 

same  man,  Rev.  Joel  M. .     It  was  full  three  hours 

long,  all  in  that  blessed  tone  so  dear  to  the  hearts  of  the 
elder  sisters  of  the  congregation.  It  made  no  difference 


JOHN    CARROLL    POWERS.  363 


whether  his  text  was  in  Genesis  or  Revelations,  the  sermon 
was  all  the  same  with  the  exception  of  a  sentence  or  two  at 
the  opening  and  closing.  The  sermon  abounded  in  the 
stereotyped  phrases  such  as  "  mourning  like  a  dove,"  and 
"  chattering  like  a  swallow/7  accompanied  with  tones  and 
gestures  as  though  he  was  trying  to  imitate  the  birds. 
These  long  sittings  were  more  than  my  youthful  flesh  could 
endure,  hence  it  became  absolutely  necessary  as  a  means  of 
self-defense,  to  wear  away  part  of  the  time  in  sleep.  I 
never  realize  so  fully  at  any  time  that  I  am  a  monument  of 
mercy  as  when  I  am  thinking  of  that  sermon  and  how  I 
survived  it.  But  it  was  not  all  evil.  There  was  one  re- 
deeming feature  in  it,  the  benefit  of  which  I  am  enjoying  at 
the  present  time.  I  used  to  preach  that  sermon  on  odd 
Sundays  to  congregations  of  boys  and  negroes  assembled 
behind  barns  and  under  shade  trees,  and  that  is  the  way 
that  I  acquired  that  Demosthenian  eloquence  which  you  so 
much  admire.  Although  the  habit  of  sleeping  in  church 
was  acquired  strictly  in  self-defense,  it  has  proved  to  be 
sometimes  quite  annoying.  After  marriage  myself  and  wife 
became  members  of  a  Presbyterian  church,  less  than  one 
hundred  miles  from  Cincinnati,  and  at  one  time  made  our 
home  in  the  family  of  the  pastor,  Rev.  L.  R.  B.  He  could 
not  fail  to  observe  my  weakness,  and  would  occasionally 
remind  me  of  it.  I  would  retort  by  saying  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  preach  such  sermons  as  would  keep  me  awake.  He 
would  usually  speak  my  name  as  though  it  had  a  plural 
termination,  which  it  has  not.  The  seating  in  the  church 
was  promiscuous,  consequently  upon,  one  very  warm  day  I 
found  myself  under  the  necessity  of  occupying  quite  a  con- 
spicuous place  in  front  of  the  pulpit.  It  required  unusual 
exertions  to  retain  an  upright  position,  but  I  did  not  be- 
come so  sound  asleep  as  to  prevent  my  knowing  when  the 


364  FIFTY   YE AIIS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

minister  closed  his  sermon,  opened  his  hymn  book  and  read 
distinctly  from  one  of  Dr.  Watts7  good  old  hymns : — 

"  My  drowsy  POWERS,  why  sleep  ye  so. 

Awake  my  sluggish  soul, 
Nothing  has  half  thy  work  to  do, 
Yet  nothing  half  so  dull. 

"By  the  time  the  reading  of  the  first  verse  was  done  I  was 
aroused  and  felt  as  though  all  eyes  were  upon  me,  but  pre- 
served a  respectful  demeanor.  We  walked  home  together, 
but  the  events  of  the  morning  were  not  alluded  to  until  all 
were  seated  at  the  dinner  table. 

"  Assuming  a  serious  expression  of  countenance,  for  I 
really  thought  he  had  selected  that  hymn  as  applicable  to 
my  case,  I  said:  Brother  B.  I  think  I  have  just  cause  to 
complain  of  you.  l  Why  so  ? 7  said  he,  with  an  inquiring 
look.  Because,  sir,  you  to-day  took  occasion  to  ' point  a 
moral  and  adorn  a  tale'  by  pointing  out  my  infirmity  publicly 
when  you  could  just  as  well  have  done  it  privately.  With  a 
puzzled  expression  of  countenance  he  said,  '  I  do  not  under- 
stand you,  please  explain.7  Well,  sir,  at  the  close  of  your 
sermon  this  morning,  seeing  I  had  been  asleep  as  usual,  you 
could  not  wait  until  our  arrival  at  home  to  reprove  me,  but 
under  pretense  of  reading  a  hymn  called  aloud,  '  My 
drowsy  POWERS,  why  sleep  ye  so?7  I  then  found  the 
selection  of  the  hymn  was  entirely  unpremeditated  on  his 
part,  and  therefore  will  not  attempt  to  describe  what  en- 
sued, but  any  allusion  to  the  subject  after  that  was  sure  to 
provoke  the  most  unbounded  mirth.77 

The  accompanying  portrait  is  an  excellent  likeness  as 
he  looked  in  1876  when  first  engraved,  and  as  it  appears  in 
his  "  Life  of  Lincoln.77  He  now  shows  just  a  little  more 
the  advance  of  years,  but  intellectually  just  in  his  prime, 
and  his  plans  for  the  future  in  his  literary  work  take  in  a 
wide  range,  requiring  energy  to  accomplish. 


HON.  DAVID  McCULLOCH. 


JUDGE  OF  APPELLATE  AND   CIRCUIT   COURTS. 


If  official  position  could  be  assigned  to  those  most  cap- 
able of  performing  their  duties  from  their  natural  and 
acquired  abilities,  and  added  to  these  the  moral  force  of 
right  and  integrity  as  the  ruling  principle  that  governs  the 
man,  then  we  could  write  that  David  McCulloch  would  be 
entitled  to  fill  the  highest  judicial  positions  in  our  state  and 
nation. 

He  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  Penn.,  January 
25,  1832,  graduated  at  Marshall  College  in  that  state 
before  he  attained  his  majority,  and  soon  after  came  to  Illi- 
nois, where  he  engaged  in  teaching  at  Peoria  until  the  year 

1855,  when  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of 
Manning  &  Merriman,  and  was   admitted  to  practice  in 

1856.  In  November,  1855,  he  was  elected  as  superintend- 
ent of  the  schools  of  Peoria  county,  and  held  the  office  till 
1861,  being  twice  re-elected.      During  these  years  he  made 
many   suggestions  in    regard  to   necessary  changes  in  the 
school  law,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  them  adopted  by 
the   legislature.      These   suggestions  became  a  part  of  the 
new  free-school  system  of  the  state,  and   went  into  opera- 
tion during  the  latter  term  of  his  office,  and  it  was  his 
pleasant  duty  to  give  them  the  right  direction  in   his  own 
county,  which  he  did,  receiving  the  approval  of  the  leading 
educators  of  the  county  and  state,  and   among  them  none 


366  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

were  warmer  in  their  commendation  than  Hon.  Newton 
.Bateman,  then  state  superintendent  of  public  instruction. 

In  1860,  having  remained  in  the  office  of  Manning  & 
Merriman  until  that  time,  dividing  the  time  between  his 
law  practice  and  his  official  duties,  he  opened  an  office  of 
his  own,  but  during  the  following  year,  Mr.  Merriman  hav- 
ing been  elected  to  the  circuit  judgeship,  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  Mr.  Manning,  which  lasted  till  July  4, 
1862,  when  Mr.  Manning  died.  He  then  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  the  late  Charles  P.  Taggart,  which  continued 
until  1869,  when  it  was  dissolved  owing  to  the  failing 
health  of  Mr.  Taggart,  who  went  to  California. 

During  the  last  two  years  of  this  partnership  Mr. 
McCulloch  performed  the  duties  of  state's  attorney,  to 
which  Mr.  Taggart  had  been  elected,  as  the  bad  health  of 
the  latter  prevented  him  from  performing  its  duties. 

After  a  partnership  of  short  duration  with  Capt.  J.  M. 
Rice,  Mr.  McCulloch  formed  a  partnership  with  John 
S.  Stevens,  Esq.,  which  continued  until  Mr.  Stevens7  ap- 
pointment as  postmaster  in  1876. 

He  was  just  as  watchful  and  discriminating  in  regard  to 
any  defects  in  the  general  law  as  he  was  in  the  school  laws, 
and  through  his  suggestions  to  members  of  the  legislature 
important  changes  were  made  from  time  to  time.  Some 
amendments  were  drawn  by  himself  and  are  still  part  of  the 
law. 

His  active  mind  embraced  a  wide  range,  and  he  con- 
ferred with  leading  members  of  the  bar  from  other  parts  of 
the  state  in  regard  to  needed  changes  in  laws,  and  additions 
thereto. 

As  early  as  1876,  from  his  extensive  practice  in  the 
supreme  court,  he  discovered  the  overcrowded  condition  of 


HON.    JOHN    McCULLOCH.  367 

that  branch  of  the  judiciary ;  that  it  was  clogged,  business 
delayed,  suitors  put  off  from  term  to  term  at  great  expense, 
in  short,  it  in  many  cases  retarded  the  administering  of 
justice.  It  was  found  that  legislation  was  imperatively  de- 
manded to  increase  the  judicial  force  of  the  state.  An  ap- 
pellate court  was  provided  for  by  the  constitution,  to  be 
composed  of  judges  of  the  circuit  courts.  But  the  circuit 
courts  were  generally  behind  in  their  business,  so  there 
were  no  judges  to  spare  for  this  intermediate  court.  What 
was  to  be  done  to  end  this  perplexity  ?  In  this  state  of 
the  question  Mr.  McCulloch,  in  1876,  addressed  a  commu- 
nication to  the  Legal  News,  of  Chicago,  proposing  a  remedy 
that  would  reach  the  case.  This  letter  was  published  in 
October  of  that  year,  and  elicited  the  attention  of  the  bar 
in  different  parts  of  the  state. 

At  the  same  time  came  the  proposition  from  Stephen  V. 
Moore,  of  Kankakee,  proposing  the  formation  of  a  state 
bar  association!  The  result  of  these  different  presentations 
of  the  question  was,  that  a  meeting  of  the  bar  of  the  state 
was  held  at  Springfield,  January  1,  1876,  and  a  state  bar 
association  was  formed,  and  steps  taken  to  reform  the  judi- 
cial system  of  the  state,  the  legislature  then  being  in  session. 
A  committee,  of  which  Judges  Puterbaugh,  McCulloch  and 
Thornton  were  members,  was  appointed  to  draft  the  neces- 
sary bills. 

These  bills  provided  for  thirteen  new  judges,  and  most 
of  the  other  features  of  the  bills  were  adopted,  and  the 
appellate  courts  organized,  all  in  accordance  with  the  plan 
first  suggested  by  McCulloch's  letter.  The  result  has  been 
most  satisfactory. 

The  first  election  under  this  law  was  held  August  6th, 
1877,  when  Judge  McCulloch  was 'elected  by  a  handsome 


368 

majority.  In  June,  1879,  when  there  were  three  judges  to 
elect,  he  led  all  the  rest,  having  the  highest  majority  of  the 
three.  He  was  designated  by  the  supreme  court  as  one  of 
the  appellate  judges,  being  assigned  to  the  Third  Appellate 
Court  District,  which  position  he  has  since  held,  having 
been  re-appointed  in  1882,  also  at  times  performing  some 
circuit  duties.  He  was  chosen  president  of  the  State  Bar 
Association  in  recognition  of  his  services  in  bringing  about 
these  great  reforms,  which  position  he  held  for  one  year. 

In  June,  1882,  a  supreme  judge  was  to  be  chosen.  The 
republican  convention  that  met  at  Galva  in  May  to  select  a 
candidate,  after  a  number  of  ballots  chose  Judge  McCul- 
loch  as  their  candidate.  From  the  numerical  majority  of 
that  party  in  the  district  it  was  supposed  that  he  would  be 
elected,  but  issues  foreign  to  the  question  of  the  fitness  of 
the  men  presented  as  candidates  were  forced  into  the  can- 
vass. Outside  pressure  was  brought  to  bear  against  Judge 
McColloch,  and  thousands  of  dollars  were  distributed  over 
the  district  to  defeat  him.  This  combination  of  all  the  dis- 
tracting and  heterogeneous  elements  in  and  out  of  the  dis- 
trict, together  with  the  fact  that  the  election  occurred  at 
the  most  busy  season  of  the  year  among  the  farmers,  so 
that  in  the  agricultural  districts  there  was  a  very  meagre 
attendance  at  the  polls,  all  conspired  to  defeat  him,  and  the 
people  of  the  state  at  large  are  deprived  of  the  services  of 
one  of  the  most  pure  and  upright  jurists  in  her  borders. 

Judge  McCulloch  is  now  in  his  fifty-second  year,  in  the 
prime  of  manhood  and  mental  strength,  by  nature  a  student, 
the  traits  of  his  mind  fitting  him  for  close  thought  and  a 
happy  Way  of  expressing  just  what  is  proper  for  the  place 
or  the  occasion.  As  a  writer  his  expositions  of  law  are 


HON.    JOHN    McCULLOCH.  369 

sound,  lucid  and  able,  combining  plainness,  solidity  and 
impregnability  to  criticism. 

Judge  McCulloch's  relations  with  the  bench  and  bar  of 
the  state  are  most  pleasant.  His  associates  on  the  appellate 
bench  are  Judges  C.  L.  Higbie,  of  Pittsfield,  and  Oliver  L. 
Davis,  of  Danville.  Their  place  of  meeting  is  at  Spring- 
field, and  their  official  duties  require  their  attention  nearly 
one-half  the  time,  either  on  the  bench  or  in  chambers,  look- 
ing up  authorities  and  writing  out  opinions.  Their  rulings 
*  and  decisions  are  seldom  reversed  by  the  supreme  court. 
The  same  can  be  said  in  regard  to  his  associates  on  the 
circuit  bench,  Judges  Laws  and  Burns,  and  the  members  of 
the  bar  throughout  the  circuit.  Their  personal  and  pro- 
fessional relations  are  most  cordial  and  pleasant. 


24 


HON.  GEORGE  E.  WARREN. 


LATE  REPRESENTATIVE  STATE   LEGISLATURE. 


If  long  and  faithful  citizenship  in  this  state  entitles  a 
man  to  just  recognition  from  his  fellow-citizens,  then  the 
subject  of  our  sketch  should  enjoy  that  mead  of  praise. 

George  E.  Warren  was  born  at  Worthington,  Franklin 
county,  Ohio,  August  16,  1817.  His  father,  Dr.  Thomas 
Warren,  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire ;  moved  to  Bristol, 
R.  I.,  in  1810,  and  married  Miss  Martha,  daughter  of 
Charles  "DeWolf,  a  wealthy  merchant  and  ship  owner  of  that 
port. 

In  1814  they  removed  to  Ohio,  and  there  resided  till  the 
spring  of  1818,  and  then  returned  to  Bristol,  where  Dr. 
Warren  resided  till  the  fall  of  1835.  His  wife  died  in  1829, 
he  with  his  family,  then  consisting  of  a  daughter  and  two 
sons,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  only  survi- 
vor, again  removed  to  the  west  in  1835,  landing  at  Alton 
when  that  city  was  increasing  in  population  very  rapidly. 

Before  coming  to  Illinois  young  Warren  received  the 
benefit  of  a  good  educational  course  at  Brown  University, 
Providence,  R.  I.,  entering  that  institution  when  he  was 
fourteen  years  old  and  remaining  there  until  his  senior  year. 
After  removal  to  Illinois  he  commenced  the  study  of  law 
with  Woodson  &  Hodge,  at  Carrolton,  and  was  also 
appointed  deputy  of  the  circuit  and  county  courts,  under 
M.  O.  Bledsoe,  who  held  both  these  positions.  His  health 
having  become  seriously  impaired,  in  order  to  recuperate  it 


. 
HON.    GEORGE    E.    WARREN.  371 

amid  the  scenes  of  youthful  days,  among  friends  in  Rhode 
Island,  in  the  spring  of  1837,  he  returned  to  that  state, 
and  the  following  August  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  S., 
daughter  of  S.  S.  Allen,  Esq.,  then  collector  of  the  port  of 
Bristol. 

He  returned  to  the  west  in  the  autumn  of  that  year,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1838  settled  at  Alton,  where  he  completed 
his  law  studies  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1839. 

Owing  to  the  financial  depression  then  prevalent  over 
the  country  the  place  offered  but  little  encouragement  to 
the  young  practitioner,  and  his  father  and  guardian  having 
purchased  for  him  a  large  farm  near  Jersey ville  with  money 
bequeathed  by  his  grandfather,  Charles  De  Wolf,  in  the 
spring  of  1840  he  moved  to  this  farm  and  commenced  its 
improvement.  In  1841  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace 
and  held  the  position  for  eight  years,  when  he  was  elected 
the  first  county  judge  of  Jersey  county  under  the  new 
state  constitution.  He  performed  the  duties  of  that  office 
to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  people  for  eight  years,  till 
the  fall  of  1857,  full  two  terms,  making  a  continuous 
official  service  of  sixteen  years  as  justice  and  judge.  He 
then  resumed  his  law  practice,  following  it  steadily  alone 
till  1862.  He  then  admitted  his  son-in-law,  Hon.  W.  H. 
Pogue,  as  a  partner,  which  business  relation  still  exists.. 

In  March,  1875,  he  was  elected  mayor  of  Jersey  ville 
on  the  anti-license  ticket,  and  served  very  acceptably,  the 
oity  prospering  under  his  administration.  But  his  fellow- 
Citizens  still  called  for  him  to  come  up  higher,  and  at  the 
general  election  in  November,  1878,  he  was  elected  to  the 
state  legislature  from  the  fortieth  representative  district, 
and  took  his  seat  at  the  opening  of  the  general  assembly  in 
January,  1879,  and  during  the  session  acquitted  himself 


372 

with  great  ability  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  a  large 
majority  of  his  constituents.  t 

Judge  Warren  has  always  possessed  a  competence,  and 
never  aimed  at  the  acquisition  of  great  wealth  or  political 
notoriety,  his  official  positions  coming  to  him  unsought. 
He  is  domestic  in  his  habits,  and  seeks  and  finds  satisfac- 
tion in  the  enjoyment  of  a  quiet  home  life, —  the  family 
circle  and  the  society  of  congenial  friends.  He  is- 
literary  in  his  tastes,  and  has  a  fund  of  knowledge  to 
"  draw  on  at  sight  "  that  is  a  great  satisfaction  to  him.  In 
acquiring  this  he  has  always  been  a  close  student,  and  hi& 
mind  is  a  rich  storehouse  of  practical  knowledge.  He  ha& 
always  been  a  firm  believer  in  the  Christian  religion,  owing 
this  strong  faith  largely  to  the  training  of  a  Christian 
mother.  He  appreciates  the  truths  of  the  Bible  as  a  divine 
revelation,  and  at  the  early  age  of  sixteen  united  with  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  church.  There  being  no  church  of 
this  faith  at  Jersey  ville,  he,  with  his  wife,  in  March,  1852, 
united  with  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  that  city,  and 
has  been  one  of  the  elders  since  1866.  In  politics  he  was- 
a  whig,  but  on  the  disruption  of  that  party  he  became  a 
republican,  yielding  a  conscientious  approval  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  party. 

In  his  worthy  wife  he  finds  a  hearty  coadjutor  in 
Christian  and  benevolent  work,  to  which  they  are  both 
devoted. 

He  has  four  sons  and  four  daughters,  seven  of  them 
married  and  have  children,  and  the  judge,  as  one  of  the 
patriarchs  in  Israel,  lias  a  full  score  of  grandchildren.  One 
daughter  resides  at  Washington,  D.  C.  The  others  all 
reside  at  Jerseyville  and  in  its  immediate  vicinity. 


JOHN  BRYNER. 


LATE  COLONEL  FORTY-SEVENTH  ILLINOIS  REGIMENT. 

Among  the  active  and  efficient  patriotic  men  in  our  state 
on  the  opening  of  the  rebellion,  none  made  their  influence 
and  usefulness  more  felt  in  the  sphere  in  which  they  acted 
than  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

John  Bryner  was  born  in  Center  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  6,  1820,  and  came  to  Peoria  in  1845.  After  serv- 
ing in  several  clerical  capacities  he,  in  1847,  entered  into 
business  with  William  McLean,  under  the  firm  name  of 
McLean  &  Bryner,  in  the  leather  trade,  which  continued 
till  1861.  During  these  years  he  was  called  to  fill  many 
important  positions  of  trust  and  honor.  He  was  elected 
sheriff  of  Peoria  county,  and  served  two  terms  with  such 
acceptance  as  to  meet  the  general  approval  of  the  people. 
On  the  organization  of  the  " National  Blues"  in  1856  he 
was  elected  first  lieutenant,  in  which  capacity  he  acted  till 
the  year  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion,  when  he 
was  elected  captain,  and  when  the  call  was  made  for  volun- 
teers he  assisted  in  the  organization  and  outfit  of  companies 
for  other  regiments,  until  the  second  call  for  300,000  men, 
when  he  commenced  the  organization  of  the  Forty-Seventh 
Volunteer  Infantry.  July  27,  1861,  he  was  commissioned 
colonel  of  the  regiment,  and  from  that  time  to  the  muster- 
ing in  of  the  regiment,  August  16th,  he  was  continually 


374  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

receiving  and  recruiting  the  companies  that  were  to  com- 
pose his  regiment. 

From  ,that  date  till  September  23d  the  regiment  was 
perfecting  its  drill  and  waiting  orders.  •  On  this  date  march- 
ing orders  were  received  and  the  men  went  by  rail  to 
St.  Louis,  going  into  quarters  at  Benton  Barracks,  receiv- 
ing their  clothing  and  arms  complete. 

His  regiment  remained  here  until  October  9th,  when  it 
moved  by  rail  to  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  remaining  there 
doing  garrison  duty  until  December  22d,  then  moving  by 
rail  to  Otterville,  there  doing  garrison  duty  until  February 
2,  1862,  then  marching  north  to  Missouri  river,  crossing  at 
Boonville,  marching  down  the  north  side  of  the  river  to 
St.  Charles,  where  it  arrived  February  18th,  crossed  the 
river  again  at  St.  Charles,  and  moved  by  rail  to  St.  Louis, 
embarking  on  the  steamer  War  Eagle  for  Cairo,  arriving 
there  Feb.  23d. 

Feb.  25th  moved  by  steamer  to  Commerce,  Mo.,  disem- 
barking, joined  Pope's  command,  then  organizing  for  a 
campaign  against  Island  No.  10  and  New  Madrid.  March 
2nd  marched  for  New  Madrid,  settling  down  before  the 
enemy's  works  at  that  place  March  4th.  Here  was  the  first 
opportunity  the  regiment  had  been  afforded  of  coming  face 
to  face  with  the  enemy,  but  the  time  had  been  improved  by 
Col.  Bryner  at  all  points  where  he  had  been  doing  garrison 
duty,  to  perfect  his  regiment  by  a  thorough  course  of  mili- 
tary drill  which  he  was-  thoroughly  qualified  to  give  them. 

On  the  night  of  March  10th,  the  Forty-Seventh  with 
the  Eleventh  Missouri  Infantry,  marched  ten  miles  below 
New  Madrid,  taking  along  a  battery  of  light  artillery. 
Their  objective  point  was  Point  Pleasant,  to  blockade 
the  river,  cutting  off  the  enemy's  communication  by  the 


JOHN    BRYNER.  375 


river  below  New  Madrid  and  Island  No.  10.  Here  they 
were  brigaded  with  the  Eleventh  Missouri  and  Twenty- 
Sixth  Illinois  Infantry,  the  Eighth  Regiment  Wisconsin 
Volunteer  Infantry,  (the  Eagle,  or  "Old  Abe"  regiment), 
and  placed  under  the  command  of  Brig.  Gen.  Joseph  B. 
Plummer.  Col.  Bryner  remained  with  the  regiment  at 
Point  Pleasant  until  April  7th.  During  this  time  the  ene- 
my were  compelled  to  evacuate  New  Madrid,  that  place 
was  occupied  by  the  brigade,  and  on  the  9th  they  were  paid 
four  month's  services  by  Maj.  Witherell,  U.  S.  A. 

April  10th  the  regiment  embarked  on  the  Steamer 
Aleck  Scott  and  dropped  down  the  river  nearly  to  Fort 
Pillow,  returning  on  the  morning  of  the  llth  to  Tipton- 
ville,  Tennessee,  twenty  miles  below  New  Madrid.  Re- 
maining here  till  the  12th,  they  moved  up  the  river  to 
Cairo,  drew  clothing,  and  steamer  took  on  coal.  On  the 
20th  they  moved  up  the  Tennessee  River  to  Hamburg 
Landing,  Tenn.,  arriving  on  the  22d,  disembarking,  en- 
camped near  the  river,  and  during  the  next  fifteen  days 
accompanied  General  Pope's  army  in  their  advance  in  the 
direction  of  Corinth,  where  the  enemy  were  posted  in 
strength.  This  march  was  very  fatiguing,  Col.  Bryner's 
duties  being  to  build  a  corduroy  road  through  extensive 
-swamps.  May  9th  they  engaged  the  enemy  at  Farmington, 
Miss.  In  the  fight  Lieut.-Col.  Daniel  L.  Miles  was  killed. 
May  28th  the  47th  participated  in  an  engagement  near 
Corinth.  On  the  night  of  the  29th  the  enemy  evacuated 
Corinth,  and  the  regiment  accompanied  Gen.  Pope's  com- 
mand in  pursuit  of  the  retreating  forces  as  far  as  Boones- 
ville,  Miss.,  returning  to  Camp  Clear  Creek,  six  miles 
south  of  Corinth,  June  llth,  1862,  where  in  a  few  days 
they  received  two  months'  pay  from  Major  Etting,  U.  S.  A. 


376  FIFTY*  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

July  3d  the  regiment  marched  to  Rienzi,  Miss.,  remaining 
there  until  the  18th  of  August.  Here  Col.  Bryner,  in 
consequence  of  his  arduous  and  incessant  duties,  was  com- 
pelled by  ill  health  to  leave  the  regiment.  His  resignation 
having  been  accepted,  he  reluctantly  took  leave  of  the  regi- 
ment. Through  his  ability  as  a  tactician,  strictness  as  a 
disciplinarian,  and  constant  regular  drill  when  in  camp,  the 
47th  became  under  his  command  one  of  the  most  efficient 
regiments  in  the  service.  The  officers  regarded  him  as  a 
brother,  and  for  the  men  he  had  a  fatherly  regard,  he  was  so 
careful  of  their  comfort,  health  and  welfare. 

Although  compelled  to  leave  his  chosen  command,  when 
he  arrived  at  home  such  was  his  experience,  his  superior 
skill,  that,  though  an  invalid,  he  was  called  on  to  assist  in 
the  organization  of  new  regiments.  The  85th,  86th,  103d, 
108th  and  112th  were  organized  and  fitted  for  the  field 
under  his  careful  and  vigilant  eye,  he  having  charge  of  the 
camp  at  Peoria  during  the  time  they  were  filling  up  and 
getting  ready  to  take  the  field.  When  the  139th  —  a  hun- 
dred-day regiment,  was  organized,  he  accepted  a  commis- 
sion as  first  lieutenant,  and  was  assigned  as  assistant 
quartermaster,  and  his  health  having  in  a  measure  im- 
proved he  accompanied  the  139th  to  Cairo  and  went  into 
camp  with  them. 

While  here  he  received  a  most  pressing  request  from 
his  old  regiment,  the  47th,  then  a  battalion  of  four  com- 
panies under  command  of  Major  Bonham,  to  return  to 
them,  every  officer  and  man  joining  in  the  request.  lie 
accepted  the  tender,  and  obtaining  leave  of  Gov.  Oglesby, 
raised  six  new  companies,  going  into  camp  at  Springfield, 
the  four  veteran  companies  having  been  ordered  to  join 
Gen.  A.  J.  Smith's  forces,  then  in  front  of  Fort  Spanish  at 
Mobile. 


JOHN    BRYNER.  377 


After  the  completion  of  the  organization  of  the  six 
companies  he  was  taken  suddenly  ill  at  Springfield,  where 
he  died  March  19th,  1865,  thus  rounding  up  a  four  years' 
service,  faithful  in  health  and  sickness,  as  much  a  martyr  to 
the  cause  of  his  country  as  if  he  had  fallen  in  some  of  the 
battles  in  which  he  had  participated  while  at  the  front. 

His  remains  were  brought  home  to  Peoria,  where  appro- 
priate civic  and  military  ceremonies  were  rendered  to  them, 
then  followed  to  their  last  resting  place  by  a  large  cortege. 

Bryner  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  organized  October  8th,  1879, 
was  named  in  his  honor.  Col.  Bryner  was  married  to  Miss 
Rebecca  North,  at  Mifflinton,  Pa.,  Sept.  15th,  1842,  the 
marriage  being  solemnized  by  Rev.  John  Hutchinson  of 
that  place.  There  were  eight  children  born  to  them,  four 
sons  and  four  daughters,  only  three  of  whom  survive.  B. 
C.  Bryner,  his  son,  who  was  but  a  youth  during  the  war, 
enlisted  in  the  47th  regiment  and  served  one  year  in  com- 
pany I.  He  was  for  several  years  assistant  postmaster  in 
this  city  under  Postmasters  Stevens  and  Cockle,  but  for 
more  than  a  year  past  has  occupied  a  responsible  position 
in  the  insurance  office  of  Callender  &  Co. 


ORSON  BINGHAM  GALUSHA. 


PRESIDENT   ILLINOIS  STATE  HORTICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 


Among  the  great  productive  interests  of  our  rich,  grand 
and  patriotic  state  that  have  assumed  importance  in  the  last 
quarter  of  a  century  is  that  of  horticulture,  the  "  art  which 
does  mend  nature/7  and  like  all  other  great  industries  that 
contribute  wealth,  luxury ;  comfort  and  pleasure  to  our 
people,  there  are  among  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  state 
men  who  have  given  their  time,  means,  talents,  and  all  the 
great  faculties  with  which  they  were  endowed  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  this  science,  along  with  the  more  important 
one  of  agriculture. 

Conspicuous  among  the  earnest  workers  we  find  Hon. 
Orson  B.  Galusha,  of  Morris,  Grundy  county,  Illinois.  He 
was  born  at  Shaftsbury,  Bennington  county,  Vermont, 
December  2nd,  1819.  His  father,  Jonas  Galusha,  Jr.,  was 
the  son  of  Governor  Jonas  Galusha,  who  served  several 
terms  as  governor  of  that  state,  and  at  this  time  was  serv- 
ing his  second  term.  Jonas  Galusha,  Jr.,  resided  on  the 
estates  of  his  father,  the  governor,  and  managed  them  for 
him,  they  being  divided  into  several  farms.  Here  he  re- 
sided until  Orson  was  sixteen  years  old,  the  lad  assisting  to 
some  extent  in  the  labor  of  the  farm  and  attending  district 
school,  and  one  year  attending  Bennington  Seminary. 

Jonas  Galusha,  Jr.,  then  removed  to  Rochester,  N.  Y.r 
and  his  son  Orson  was  placed  under  the  tuition  of  Dr. 


ORSON    BINGHAM    GALUSHA.  379 

Chester  Dewey,  at  the  Rochester  Collegiate  Institute,  where 
he  pursued  his  studies  for  three  years.  He  also  varied  his 
student  life  by  serving  as  assistant  teacher  at  the  Fitzhugh 
Street  Seminary. 

In  1839  the  family  removeo^  to  Grand  Rapids,  Mich., 
where  he  was  left  at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  his  mother 
having  died  there  and  his  father  and  brother  returning  to 
Rochester.  In  the  summer  season  he  worked  on  the  farm, 
and  in  the  winter  taught  school  until  1843,  when  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  J.  Hinsdale,  third  daughter  of  Judge 
Mitchell  Hinsdale,  of  Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  afterwards  con- 
tinuing farming  for  five  years.  In  1849  he  sold  his  farm 
in  Michigan  and  removed  to  Lisbon,  Grundy  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  bought  a  small  farm  of  120  acres,  and  at  once  en- 
gaged in  the  nursery  business  and  cultivating  small  fruits. 
Here  he  remained  near  twenty  years,  gaining  rich  experi- 
ence and  practical  knowledge  of  fruit  growing  and  the 
nursery  business. 

In  1868  he  sold  his  Lisbon  farm  and  bought  another 
near  Morris,  the  county  seat,  where  his  facilities  for  selling 
his  fruits  and  nursery  stock  were  much  better.  To  this 
place  he  removed  a  large  part  of  his  nursery  stock  and 
established  the  "  Eclectic  Small  Fruit  Nursery."  and  his 
fruit  farm  is  known  as  the  "  Evergreen  Fruit  Farm,"  on  ac- 
count of  the  evergreen  shelter-belts  and  evergreen  timber 
plantation  upon  it. 

Here  he  has  "practiced  what  he  preached"  on  the  fruit 
question,  been  very  successful  in  both  nursery  business  and 
fruit  growing.  Several  years  ago,  on  account  of  impaired 
health,  he  left  his  fruit  farm  for  a  short  residence  at  Normal, 
in  this  state.  After  a  few  years  residence  at  Normal  he 
"returned  to  his  first  love,"  to  the  shades  of  his  beautiful 
evergreen  home  near  Morris. 


380  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

But  we  have  only  been  giving  the  farm  work  and  labor 
performed  by  Mr.  Galusha.  Along  with  this  his  has  been 
a  life-work  in  trying  to  advance  the  interest  of  the  people 
in  the  chosen  business  in  which  he  was  laboring  —  the  culti- 
vation of  the  soil;  horticulture  and  agriculture  fruit 
growing  and  farming. 

His  life  has  been  one  of  continuous  service  to  the  pub- 
lic, and  often  of  so  much  gratuitiotis  service  as  to  seriously 
interfere  with  efforts  to  accumulate  property.  In  Michigan, 
soon  after  attaining  his  majority,  he  was  elected  township 
clerk  and  school  inspector,  which  positions  he  held  during 
most  of  his  residence  in  that  state.  While  residing  at 
Lisbon  the  question  of  agricultural  education  was  agitated, 
in  which  he  took  a  deep  interest.  He  corresponded  with 
agricultural  papers  east  and  west,  he  attended  meetings 
and  addressed  them  on  the  subject.  He  was  one  of  the 
pioneers  in  the  movement  favoring  a  system  of  state 
agricultural  colleges  or  industrial  universities,  and  when 
the  movement  culminated  in  the  establishment  in  each 
state  of  an  agricultural  institution,  his  interest  increased  in 
the  work  to  see  that  it  was  founded  on  a  permanent  and 
independent  basis,  and  in  connection  with  such  men  as 
Prof.  J.  B.  Turner,  Smiley  Shepherd,  M,  L.  Dunlap  and 
others,  aided  in  defeating  a  scheme  by  the  trustees  of  some 
existing  colleges  to  attach  agricultural  and  mechanical 
departments  to  their  waning  institutions  and  thus  establish 
them  upon  a  permanent  and  popular  basis. 

He  was  the  first  member  of  the  board  of  trustees 
appointed  by  the  governor  in  his  district,  which  position  he 
held  for  six  years,  until  the  board  was  reduced  in  numbers 
by  act  of  the  legislature.  He  was  the  first  recording  secre- 
tary of  the  board,  and  always  active  and  influential  in 


ORSON    BINGHAM    GALUSHA.  381 

efforts  to  bring  the  institution  into  the  special  line  of  work 
for  which  the  agricultural  colleges  were  established.  It 
was  our  duty  as  well  as  a  great  pleasure  to  lend  the  aid  of 
the  columns  of  the  FARMER'S  ADVOCATE  and  RURAL 
MESSENGER  to  Mr.  Galusha  and  his  co-workers  when  they 
Avere  struggling  for  the  establishment  of  the  Industrial 
University.  So  we  know  whereof  we  write  when  we  speak 
of  their  great  labors.  During  this  whole  time  there  were 
other  fields  of  labor,  hardly  less  important,  that  were 
receiving  the  benefit  of  his  great  capacity  for  organization. 

In  1856  he,  with  a  few  others,  organized  the  Illinois 
State  Horticultural  Society  at  Decatur,  with  the  late  Dr.  E. 
S.  Hull,  of  Alton,  as  president,  and  Mr.  Galusha  as  corres- 
ponding secretary.  He  continued  to  occupy  this  and  other 
important  positions  in  the  society  until  1861,  when  he  was 
elected  to  the  presidency  of  the  society. 

Subsequent  to  this  year,  and  until  the  year  1869,  he  was 
for  the  most  part  of  the  time  giving  gratuitious  services  to 
the  society  by  serving  on  its  ad-interim  committee,  travel- 
ing thousands  of  miles  annually,  collecting  facts  in  horti- 
culture and  making  suggestions  to  growers  of  fruits  and 
trees,  formulating  the  information  gained  into  reports  which 
were  published  by  the  society. 

In  1869  he  was  again  elected  secretary  of  the  society, 
which  position  he  held  until  December,  1882,  with  the 
exception  of  one  year,  when,  on  account  of  his  severe  ill- 
ness at  the  time  of  electing  officers  he  refused  to  take  the 
place. 

In  December,  1882,  he  was  at  his  own  request,  and  in 
accordance  to  previous  notice  given  to  the  society,  excused 
from  further  services  as  secretary.  But  the  society,  unwill- 
ing to  lose  his  services  and  counsel,  elected  him  to  the 


382  FIFTY    YEAKS     RECOLLECTIONS. 

presidency  by  a  unanimous  vote.  He  also  served  the  state 
as  a  member  of  the  state  board  of  agriculture  from  the 
year  1864  to  1868,  and  for  several  years  before  and  subse- 
quent to  this  served  the  state  agricultural  society  as  super- 
intendent of  the  pomological  and  horticultural  departments 
at  the  state  fairs. 

In  all  these  years  of  usefulness  it  has  been  our  pleasant 
recollection  of  Mr.  Galusha  to  find  him  an  untiring  worker 
in  all  the  great  organizations  that  he  has  been  connected 
with.  We  have  met  him  on  fruit-growers'  excursions  in 
our  own  state  and  in  Michigan,  at  state,  county  and  horti- 
cultural fairs,  always  the  same  urbane  gentleman,  untiring 
in  his  industry,  faithful  to  his  numerous  trusts,  and  of 
advanced  ideas  in  educational  and  all  great  interests  that 
would  promote  all  the  great  industrial  enterprises  of  the 
country. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Galusha,  in  their  married  life,  have  had 
but  two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter.  The  eldest,  a 
son,  died  at  the  age  of  four  years,  at  Qrand  Rapids,  Mich. 
The  daughter  is  now  the  Wife  of  Wm.  Hawley  Smith,  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  the  Saturday  Evening  Call,  Peoria. 


JOHN  C.  SMITH. 

STATE  TREASURER   OF  ILLINOIS. 

Among  the  men  thai  are  selected  to  fill  important  offices 
of  trust  and  responsibility  in  our  state  from  year  to  year, 
none  merited  the  recognition  more  than  the  able,  efficient 
and  honest  incumbent  of  the  office  of  state  treasurer,  who 
was  installed  in  his  present  office  in  January,  1883,  having 
been  elected  to  that  responsible  position  at  the  November 
election. 

John  C.  Smith  was  born  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  February 
13,  1832.  His  early  years  were  spent  in  his  native  state. 
His  education  was  limited  to  the  common  schools,  but  he 
made  fair  progress  until  his  seventeenth  year,  when  he  was 
apprenticed  to  the  carpenter  business  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  when  he  set  up  for  himself,  proving  him- 
self a  master  builder.  He  spent  one  year  at  his  business  at 
Cape  May,  then  came  to  Chicago,  resuming  his  occupation 
as  builder  and  contractor,  continuing  until  1855,  when  he 
removed  to  Galena  and  engaged  in  erecting  a  number  of 
large-  buildings,  some  of  the  finest  in  that  city. 

His  skill  was  so  great  that  his  services  were  sought 
where  permanence  and  durability  was  required,  and  in 
1850-1  he  went  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  as  assistant  superinten- 
dent in  the  construction  of  the  custom  house  at  that  place. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion  he  resigned  this  posi- 
tion and  returned  to  Galena,  taking  an  active  part  in 


384  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

recruiting  and  encouraging  enlistments.  In  1862,  on  a  call 
being  made  for  additional  troops,  he  recruited  Company  I, 
Ninety-Sixth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  and  was  elected 
as  captain.  From  this  position  he  was  successively  promo- 
ted to  major,  lieutenant-colonel  and  colonel,  taking  part  in 
the  battles  of  the  Cumberland,  and  was  twice  breveted  for 
meritorious  conduct  on  the  field. 

In  the  desperate  assault  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Georgia, 
June,  1864,  he  was  severely  wounded  while  leading  his 
brigade,  and  while  yet  suffering  from  his  wounds,  returned 
in  time  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  just  previ- 
ous to  expiration  of  his  term  of  service.  He  was  mustered 
out  and  returned  to  his  former  home  at  Galena,  remaining 
there  several  years,  connected  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
time  in  assisting  in  collecting  the  revenue. 

In  1874  he  removed  to  Chicago,  establishing  himself  in 
the  commission  business,  and  the  following  year  he  was 
appointed  chief  grain  inspector  by  Gov.  Beveridge,  and 
served  with  great  satisfaction  in  this  very  difficult  position. 

In  1876  he  was  selected  as  one  of  the  Centennial  com- 
missioners for  this  state  to  represent  our  interests  at  the 
great  Philadelphia  exposition  of  1876,  filling  the  duties  of 
his  department  with  marked  ability. 

In  1878  he  was  elected  state  treasurer  by  a  vote  of 
215,283,  as  opposed  to  169,965  cast  for  his  competitor, 
Cronkite,  making  his  majority  45,318,  leading  his  ticket  by 
nearly  10,000  votes.  His  career  from  the  time  he  first 
appeared  in  public  life  hasp  recommended  him  to  the  people. 
He  will  always  be  found  right,  at  whatever  sacrifice  to 
himself. 

During  his  term  as  state  treasurer  one  of  his  confiden- 
tial clerks,  having  charge  of  funds,  was  temporarily  diverted 


JOHN    C.    SMITH.  385 


from  their  oversight,  and  $15,000  of  state  funds  were  stolen. 
Gen.  Smith  at  once  borrowed  the  money  and  replaced  it, 
before  the  loss  was  known  to  the  public.  It  was  duty  with 
him,  no  matter  how  much  he  suffered  financially  himself. 

At  the  close  of  his  official  term  he  returned  to  Chicago 
and  engaged  in  the  commission  business,  and  also  organ- 
ized a  merchant's  delivery  company,  of  which  he  was  direc- 
tor and  treasurer. 

In  1880  he  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  aspirants  for 
the  gubernatorial  nomination  on  the  republican  ticket,  but 
did  not  receive  the  nomination.  In  the  canvass  of  1882  he 
was  again  presented  as  a  candidate  for  state  treasurer,  and 
again  succeeded,  leading  his  ticket  several  thousand  votes. 
He  numbers  thousands  of  personal  friends  among  his  polit- 
ical opponents,  who,  when  Gen.  Smith  is  a  candidate, 
always  forego  their  political  predilections  and  vote  for 
him  because  of  his  honesty  and  capacity  for  business. 


25 


MOSES  PETTENGILL. 

MERCHANT,  MANUFACTURER   AND  PHILANTHROPIST. 


If  the  prestige  of  a  long  and  useful  life,  divided  between 
business  and  doing  good,  blending  profitable  pursuits  and 
the  dispensing  of  the  accumulations  at  the  same  time,  re- 
ceiving and  giving,  dealing  justly  in  business  affairs,  yet 
making  commercial  transactions  a  benificence  to  those  with 
whom  he  had  dealings,  will  commend  a  man  to  the  grateful 
consideration  of  a  large  portion  of  the  people  of  this  state, 
then  we  have  in  the  sketch  we  propose  giving  the  charac- 
teristics blended  in  the  subject  of  this  chapter. 

Moses  Pettengill  was  born  in  Salisbury,  New  Hamp- 
shire, April  16,  1802.  His  parents  were  Benjamin  and 
Hannah  Pettengill,  and  Moses  is  the  seventh  of  thirteen 
children.  His  grand-father,  Andrew  Pettengill,  was  an 
officer  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  received  his  death 
wound  at  the  battle  of  Bennington,  Vt.  Mr.  Pettengill's 
youthful  days  were  spent  in  hard  toil  on  his  father's  farm 
in  the  summers,  and  attending  the  village  school  through 
the  winters.  He  also  attained  some  knowledge  of  me- 
chanics from  working  at  intervals  in  a  machine  shop,  that 
was  of  great  value  to  him  through  his  long  and  successful 
career.  From  these  incessant  labors  his  health  became  im- 
paired, and  for  several  years  he  was  an  invalid.  When  he 
recovered  sufficient  strength  he  entered  the  village  academy, 
and  when  he  attained  a  sufficient  proficiency  he  taught  in 


MOSES    PETTENGILL.  387 

that  institution,  and  in  succession  taught  at  Lowell,  Mass., 
Saratoga  Springs,  and  at  Lewiston,  New  York.  Outside  of 
his  teaching  he  was  studying  very  closely  the  principles  of 
mercantile  life. 

Quitting  teaching  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  life  at  Rochester,  New  York.  Following  it 
one  year  he  lost  the  accumulations  of  all  his  years  of  labor 
by  fire  in  1828.  Not  having  the  means  to  continue  busi- 
ness he  went  on  a  prospecting  tour  to  many  leading  cities 
of  the  middle  states,  then  returning,  and  after  teaching  one 
term  he  opened  a  store  at  Brockport,  New  York,  taking  as 
a  partner  Mr.  Little,  and  soon  afterward  admitting  Col. 
Sanborn,  his  brother-in-law.  Business  prospered  with  the 
firm,  and  in  1833  Mr.  Pettengill  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy, 
daughter  of  Deacon  Amos  Pettengill,  of  Salisbury,  New 
Hampshire.  . 

During  these  years  of  prosperous  merchandising  he 
heard  frequent  favorable  reports  from  Illinois,  and  desiring 
to  see  for  himself  he  left  Brockport  in  November,  1833,  for 
Peoria,  and  after  a  long  and  circuitous  route  by  canal,  lake, 
river,  and  by  overland,  horse-back  and  stage,  they  reached 
their  destination  on  the  last  Saturday  in  December,  1833. 
Mr.  Pettengill's  observant  eye  soon  took  in  the  advantages 
of  the  new  city,  and  he  made  some  real  estate  investments 
that  are  now  some  of  the  best  business  lots  in  Peoria,  and 
still  owned  by  him.  Peoria  then  contained  not  over  two 
hundred  inhabitants,  and  these  resided  or  boarded  in  about 
thirty  log  cabins,  only  one  or  two  buildings  being  dignified 
as  "  frame  houses." 

Mr.  Pettengill  spent  about  two  weeks  in  prospecting, 
getting  acquainted  with  the  people,  then  purchasing  a  horse 
took  his  departure  homeward,  going  by  Chicago  across  the 


388  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

then  almost  wilderness  country  of  Michigan,  Indiana,  and 
Northern  Ohio,  getting  back  to  Brockport  the  latter  part  of 
February,  and  intent  on  an  early  removal,  closed  out  his 
business  at  Brockport  and  within  the  next  month  settled 
up  his  affairs  there. 

In  April,  1834,  he  started  with  his  wife  in  company 
with  Jacob  Gale,  for  Peoria,  making  the  journey  round  the 
lakes  to  Chicago  and  across  the  country.  They  arrived  at 
Peoria  June  1,  1834.  In  company  with  Mr.  Gale  he  began 
the  erection  of  a  store  on  the  lot  he  had  bought,  and  pur- 
chased another  lot  adjoining  that  had  a  log  cabin  on  it,  of 
the  most  primitive  kind,  in  which  to  reside.  In  the  follow- 
ing November,  under  the  firm  name  of  Pettengill  &  Gale, 
they  opened  the  first  hardware  and  stove  store  in  Peoria, 
and  early  in  1834  Mr.  Pettengill  bought  Mr.  Gale's  interest, 
and  added  to  the  business  the  manufacture  of  sheet  iron 
and  copperware,  the  first  industry  of  this  kind  in  Central 
Illinois.  Mr.  Pettengill  and  his  estimable  wife,  with  nine 
others,  organized  the  first  church  at  Peoria  in  December, 
1834.  It  was  a  New  School  Presbyterian,  or  afterwards 
Congregational  Church,  and  he  has  continued  a  member 
until  this  time.  Through  his  efforts,  aided  by  others,  the 
first  church  was  erected  and  completed  early  in  1836.  In 
the  summer  of  1836,  in  order  to  enlarge  his  business,  he 
sold  half  his  interest  to  A.  P.  Bartlett,  which  arrangement 
proved  very  satisfactory,  lasting  until  1844,  when  Mr.  Pet- 
tengill again  became  sole  owner.  Daring  these  eight  years- 
the  firm  built  the  first  three  story  brick  store,  corner  Wash- 
ington and  Main.  In  1844  he  buiit  another  large  three 
story  brick  store  on  same  site  where  his  stone  front  bank 
building  was  built  in  1872.  In  May,  1844,  his  store,  with 
a  large  part  of  his  goods,  was  burned,  but  was  soon  rebuilt 
and  fresh  goods  added,  business  continuing  to  prosper. 


MOSES    PETTENGILL.  389 

In  November  his  son,  Moses  P.,  died,  aged  near  five 
years.  Mr.  Pettengill  continued  his  business  alone  for  the 
next  six  years,  and  went  east  to  buy  goods  each  year,  very 
frequently  driving  all  the  way  through  with  his  carriage, 
taking  his  wife  along.  From  1850  to  1854,  Isaiah  Bab- 
cock  was  £  partner  with  him  in  business,  and  the  business, 
from  the  close  attention  given  it,  was  prosperous.  He  also 
during  these  four  years  branched  out  in  the  manufacture  of 
agricultural  implements  with  a  Mr.  Lazell,  under  the  firm 
name  of  Pettengill  &  Lazell,  which  was  the  largest  in- 
terest of  this  kind  in  that  part  of  the  state.  During  the 
latter  part  of  this  time  he  formed  a  partnership  with  several 
other  parties,  the  company  going  iuto  the  lumber  business. 

All  his  enterprises  seemed  to  prosper,  he  being  fortunate 
in  the  selection  of  his  partners;  turning  his  profits  each 
year  into  capital,  and  having  unlimited  credit,  an  unerring 
judgment  of  the  different  classes  of  business  that  would 
pay  the  best  legitimate  profits,  all  his  manufacturing  and 
commercial  interests  prospered. 

He  made  some  very  judicious  purchases  of  real  estate 
during  these  years.  One  of  these  was  a  block  of  four  acres 
on  the  West  Bluff,  on  which,  in  1862,  he  built  a  dwelling  and 
improvements  costing  §5,000.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  all 
of  his  enterprises  requiring  so  much  attention,  he  concluded 
to  sell  out  his  hardware,  sheet  iron  and  copper  manufactur- 
ing business,  established  in  1834. 

His  wife  died  Feb.  29,  1864,  after  over  thirty  years  of 
domestic  happiness,  during  which  time  she  had  been  really 
a  helpmate  to  him  in  his  business,  at  home,  and  in  the 
church  and  social  circles. 

May  17,  1865,  he  was  again  married  to  Mrs.  Hannah 
W»  Tyner,  of  Hoyleton,  Illinois,  sister  to  Prof.  J.  A.  Bent, 


390  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

since  of  Wheaton  college.  Mrs.  Tyner  was  a  native  of 
Middlebury,  Vermont,  a  woman  educated,  given  to  benev- 
olence, good  works,  and  a  valuable  assistant  to  her  husband 
in  all  the  Christian  and  educational  work  that  Mr.  Pettengill 
has  been  engaged  in.  He  ,was  chosen  a  delegate  to  the 
National  Congregational  Council  which  met  at  Boston, 
Mass.,  in  June,  1865,  and  Mrs.  Pettengill  accompanied 
him  to  that  imposing  Church  Congress.  While  east  they 
visited  many  parts  of  the  New  England  states,  and  returned 
at  the  end  of  the  summer.  On  the  night  of  December, 
13,  1865,  his  residence  was  destroyed  by  fire,  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  furniture  being  consumed.  On  its  site,  three 
years  afterwards,  was  completed  his  elegant  brick  dwelling 
costing  $12,000.  In  1870,  he,  with  other  parties,  organized 
a  company  to  manufacture  soap  for  the  wholesale  trade, 
which  continued  for  two  years,  when  he,  with  his  nephew, 
bought  out  the  other  parties  and  continued  the  business. 

For  several  years  past  Mr.  Pettengill  has  retired  from 
active  participation  in  business,  but  he  has  considerable  of 
his  large  capital  invested  in  various  paying  enterprises  and 
in  real  estate.  The  firm  of  Moses  Pettengill  &  Co.,  com- 
posed of  Mr.  Pettengill  as  the  senior  partner,  his  adopted 
son,  Blanchard  T.  Pettengill,  and  his  nephew,  J.  A.  Bent, 
Jr.,  as  the  other  partners,  control  a  large  portion  of  the 
convict  labor  at  the  Jeffersonville  penitentiary,  Indiana, 
and  utilize  it  in  the  manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes. 

The  same  firm  control  the  labor  of  over  one  hundred 
and  sixty  convicts  in  the  penitentiary  at  Chester,  Illinois,  at 
the  same  business.  The  products  of  both  manufactories 
meet  ready  sale  over  the  entire  west,  the  goods  being  made 
of  the  best  material,  by  the  finest  machinery,  and  under  the 
immediate  superintendence  of  Mr.  Bent,  aided  by  P.  W. 


MOSES   PETTENGILL.  391 

Forbish  in  the  cutting  department,  T.  P.  King  in  the 
fitting  and  sewing  department,  G.  D.  Emerson  in  charge 
of  upper-leather  department,  Thomas  Barber  in  charge  of 
sole-leather  department,  and  J.  A.  Smith  in  charge  of  the 
machinery  department,  all  operated  by  a  twenty-five  horse- 
power engine  from  Ide's  machine  works,  Springfield,  111. 
This  force  manufactures  forty  cases  per  day,  one-eighth 
of  the  product  are  shoes,  and  seven-eighths  boots;  twelve 
pairs  of  boots  in  each  case,  and  thirty-six  pairs  of  shoes. 

From  this  hasty  statement  a  good  idea  can  be  formed  of 
the  extent  of  the  firm's  business  in  boots  and  shoes  from 
the  product  manufactured  at  both  prisons. 

The  author,  in  his  tour  through  southern  Illinois  re- 
freshing his  '*  recollections"  in  regard  to  the  trades  and 
industries  of  the  state,  devoted  one  day  to  looking  through 
this  vast  establishment,  and  hopes  that  this  relation  of  how 
the  state  employs  its  convict  labor  may  be  instructive  and 
entertaining  historical  reading. 

It  requires  a  vast  capital  to  conduct  these  enterprises, 
which  is  furnished  largely  by  Mr.  Pettengill.  His  son  and 
nephew  conduct  the  large  wholesale  house  at  Peoria.  No 
doubt  the  business  is  very  profitable,  and  Mr.  Pettengill 
finds  a  large  field  for  the  distribution  of  his  wealth  in 
educational  and  religious  enterprises.  The  church  which  he 
assisted  in  founding  in  Peoria  comes  in  for  a  large  share  of 
his  benefactions.  To  its  building  fund  on  Thanksgiving 
Day,  1879,  he  gave  $4,000,  has  since  given  more,  and  dur- 
ing the  last  year  (1882)  he  built  a  Ladies'  Female  Semi- 
nary at  Peoria  costing  nearly  $25,000,  a  free  offering  i  >  the 
cause  of  education.  He  is  by  nature  benevolent,  and  has 
assisted  a  great  many  young  men  in  business. 


392 

During  the  days  of  slavery  he  was  an  active  and  Jealous 
anti-slavery  man ;  has  been  from  youth  an  active  temper- 
ance man,  contributing  largely  in  funds  to  aid  its  reform- 
atory work.  He  is  affable  and  companionable,  firm  as  the 
rocks  to  principle,  of  unimpeachable  integrity,  and  a  good 
judge  of  men.  In  person  Mr.  Pettengill  is  tall  and  angu- 
lar, and  in  his  facial  expression  has  a  strong  resemblance  to 
Abraham  Lincoln.  In  former  years  he  has  been  taken  for 
him,  "  look  enough  alike  to  be  brothers,"  and  always  seemed 
so  in  their  leading  characteristics. 


ISAAC  SNEDEKER. 


FAItMER,  HORTICULTURIST  AND  PHILANTHROPIST. 

From  the  substantial  virtues,  solid  attainments  and  wide 
experience  of  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  we  can  commend 
his  example  as  worthy  to  be  practiced  by  others. 

Isaac  Snedeker  was  born  at  Four  Mile  Ferry,  near 
Trenton,  New  Jersey,  November  22d,  1812,  the  youngest 
of  four  sons  of  Isaac  and  Catharine  Snedeker. .  His  youth- 
ful days  were  spent  at  home  under  the  paternal  roof,  and 
when  sufficiently  grown  aided  in  the  work  of  the  farm,  and 
each  year  attended  the  neighboring  schools  a  portion  of 
the  time,  making  fair  progress  in  his  studies  until  his  eight- 
eenth year,  when  a  desire  to  do  something  for  himself  was 
developed  by  his  leaving  home  and  interesting  himself 
in  the  public  works,  aiding  in  building  the  Trenton  Water 
Works,  and  when  these  were  finished  engaging  on  the 
Delaware  and  Raritan  Canal,  and  from  this  to  the  building 
of  the  Camden  and  Amboy  Railroad,  spending  the  earlier 
years  of  his  manhood  in  the  practical  duties  required  of 
him.  When  these  great  works  were  completed  he  engaged 
in  literary  pursuits,  and  was  employed  in  gathering  the 
material  and  data  for  compiling  the  New  Jersey  Historical 
Gazetteer  and  Map  of  the  State,  spending  several  years  in 
this  work  until  it  was  completed,  when  he  settled  on  a  farm 
in  Monroe  county,  New  York.  He  was  early  known  for 
his  public  spirit,  giving  aid  to  the  building  up  of  churches 


394  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

and  educational  institutions.  He  connected  himself  with 
the  Methodist  church,  and  with  others  established  the 
Penuington  church  in  his  neighborhood  and  erected  Penn- 
ington  Chapel,  which  bore  the  impress  of  his  architectural 
direction  and  was  an  ornament  to  the  surrounding  neigh- 
borhood,—  a  model  for  other  church  buildings  to  copy 
from.  He  was  one  of  the  stewards  of  that  church  until  his 
removal  from  the  state. 

He  was  active  in  the  military  organizations  of  New 
York,  and  was  commissioned  by  Governor  Marcy,  August 
1,  1836,  as  one  of  the  official  staff  of  the  Fifty-second 
Regiment,  New  York  Infantry,  Col.  E.  Sutherland  com- 
manding, with  rank  from  June  18,  1836,  holding  the  office 
until  July  17,  1841,  when  he  resigned  and  was  honorably 
mustered  out  by  Brigadier-General  Lathrop.  He  resided 
in  New  York  until  the  spring  of  1844,  when  he  came  to 
Jerseyville,  Illinois,  where,  in  connection  with  his  brother 
Samuel,  he  engaged  in  farming,  each  taking  charge  of  parts 
of  the  business  that  their  peculiar  genius  best  fitted  them 
for,  and  for  years  their  farming  investments  were  very 
successfully  managed. 

He  early  identified  himself  with  the  reformatory  and 
educational  interests  of  his  new  location,  and  particularly 
in  promoting  the  temperance  work — becoming  identified 
with  the  Sons  of  Temperance  and  one  of  its  most  active 
members. 

He  was  also  opposed  to  the  institution  of  slavery  while 
in.  New  York,  and  was  president  of  an  Anti- slavery 
society.  He  believed  it  a  wrong,  and  opposed  it  with  might 
and  power,  and  at  an  early  day  was  instrumental  in  organ- 
izing an  anti-slavery  society  in  Jersey  county,  when  it 
required  nerve,  firmness  and  pluck  to  dare  to  advocate  their 


ISAAC    SNEDEKER.  395 


principles.     He  was  frequently  threatened,    and   even  life 
endangered,  because  of  his  outspoken  principles. 

In  June,  1846,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Caroline  Sunder- 
land,  daughter  to  John  Sunderland,  of  Trenton,  New 
Jersey,  and  sister  of  his  brother  Samuel's  wife.  The  union 
was  a  happy  one  all  through  the  years  of  his  useful  life. 

In  October,  1849,  Joseph  Crabb,  a  justice  of  the  peace, 
committed  three  young  men,  all  nearly  as  white  as  himself, 
to  the  county  jail,  under  the  authority  of  the  black  laws  of 
Illinois.  Mr.  Snedeker  had  them  taken  out  on  a  writ  of 
Habeas  Corpus  and  taken  before  the  circuit  court,  and 
they  were  discharged.  It  is  claimed  that  this  was  the  first 
time  that  the  Black  Laws,  under  the  new  constitution  of 
1848,  had  been  tested,  and  the  first  time  a  negro  had  been 
released  from  a  common  jail  by  a  writ  of  Habeas  Corpus  in 
Illino.is. 

Mr.  Snedeker's  first  vote  was  cast  for  Henry  Clay,  and 
he  voted  twice  for  Abraham  Lincoln,  a  warm  personal 
friendship  existing  between  them. 

At  the  opening  and  during  the  war  there  was  a  strong 
disloyal  element  in  Jersey  county,  and  it  required  pluck 
and  courage  to  stand  true  to  principle.  Mr.  Snedeker  dared 
to  come  out  boldly  and  advocate  the  cause  of  the  Union, 
and  in  him  the  soldier  boys  had  a  firm  friend.  The  author 
recalls  an  incident  that  occurred  during  the  war  —  the 
darkest  days  of  the  Rebellion,  when  the  Union  Leagues 
and  the  Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle  were  meeting  nightly 
to  learn  of  the  advancement  or  discouragements  for  either 
side ;  when  several  Union  men's  barns  had  been  burned,  and 
horse  stealing  from  the  Union  men  was  a  common  occur- 
rence; when  strange  men  were  seen  in  the  mid-hours  of  the 
night,  gathered  together  in  strange  out-of-the-way  places,  and 


396  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

a  band  of  guerillas  and  bushwhackers  were  encamped  about 
six  miles  northeast  of  Jersey  ville  on  Phillis  Creek,  who  had 
threatened  to  burn  the  city ;  when  a  leading  citizen  and 
politician  had  gone  out  to  them  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  im- 
portune them  not  to  burn  and  destroy  property. 

At  this  time,  when  general  alarm  prevailed,  one  night 
near  midnight  several  pistol  shots  were  heard  near  Mr. 
Snedeker's  house.  He  rose  quickly,  not  knowing  but  it 
was  these  guerrillas  arrived  to  carry  their  threats  into 
execution,  as  he  was  amongst  the  loyal  citizens  who  had 
been  threatened  by  the  band  of  bushwhackers.  When  Mr. 
Snedeker  went  to  the  door  to  reconnoitre  he  heard  the 
clashing  of  swords,  the  clatter  of  carbines  and  the  hoofs  of 
horses  on  the  hard  road,  and  a  clear  shout  calling  out  the 
name  of  Isaac  Snedeker  to  come  out.  He  did  not  know 
whether  it  was  friend  or  foe,  his  family  was  alarmed,  all 
were  greatly  afraid,  but  he  boldly  called  to  the  men  in  the 
dakness,  asking  "  who  was  there."  The  men  on  the  road 
again  repeated  "  Come  out  doors."  He  stepped  out  in  his 
shirt  sleeves,  walked  towards  the  troopers,  not  yet  knowing 
whether  friends  or  foes  were  hailing  him.  The  command 
immediately  came  in  a  clear,  ringing  tone,  "come  this  way 
and  not  another  word."  He  knew  by  this  time  that  it  was 
friendly  voices,  and  he  called  out,  "  Advance  friends." 
The  troopers  came  towards  the  house,  and  he  called  to  his 
wife  and  family  that  these  were  friends.  The  doors  were 
opened  and  a  hundred  or  more  good  loyal  men  entered, 
having  been  sent  from  Alton  to  disperse  the  camp  on 
Phillis  Creek,  and  had  rode  out  in  the  night  to  be  on  hand 
for  an  early  attack  in  the  morning.  The  troopers  were  a 
company  of  the  Seventeenth  Cavalry,  stationed  at  Alton 
for  the  double  purpose  of  guarding  rebel  prisoners  and  pro- 


ISAAC    SNEDEKEK.  397 


tecting  union  men  from  rebel  sympathizers.  The  troopers 

rough  riders,  the  Boys  in  Blue  —  were  welcome  guests 
at  the  house  of  Isaac  Snedeker.  "  Boys,  come  in,  you  must 
have  your  supper,  your  horses  must  be  fed,"  and  the  con- 
tents of  the  pork  and  flour  barrels,  and  all  the  substantiate 
and  luxuries  were 'arrayed  in  order,  made  to  do  duty,  and 
the  soldier  boys  were  fed,  their  horses  had  for  once  good 
clean  oats  or  sound  corn  to  eat  —  men  and  horses  reveled 
in  high  feed.  Many  of  these  soldier  boys,  yet  alive,  will 
recall  the  pleasure  as  well  as  the  adventures  of  the  night 
at  Farmer  Snedeker's.  Arrangements  were  made  for  an 
early  attack  on  the  guerrilla  camp  and  a  plan  of  attack  de- 
vised, and  early  next  morning  the  camp  was  surrounded ; 
some  were  captured  and  others  put  to  flight. 

The  close  and  results  of  the  war  rejoiced  him  much. 
His  old-time  abolition  friends  and  neighbors  were  called  in 
and  a  grand  jollification  enjoyed,  participated  in  by  large 
numbers.  The  day  was  passed  in  social  enjoyment,  a 
recital  of  the  events  and  incidents  of  the  underground  rail- 
road experiences.  It  was  a  feast,  a  jollification,  and  it  was 
estimated  that  there  were  near  five  hundred  present  —  a 
happy,  good  time,  ua  feast  of  reason  and  flow  of  soul." 

Mr.  Snedeker  was  one  of  the  chief  promoters  of  the 
objects  of  the  Illinois  State  Horticultural  Society,  a  regular 
attendant  on  its  sessions,  and  in  connection  with  O.  B. 
Galusha,  Dr.  E.  S.  Hull,  Jonathan  Huggins,  A.  Hilliand, 
W.  H.  Mann,  Hon.  A.  M.  Brown,  D.  B^.  Wier,  Dr.  A.  G. 
Humphrey,  II.  G.  Minkler,  M.  M.  Hooton,  Dr.  J.  Long,  M. 
L.  Dunlap  and  Hon.  John  M.  Pearson,  was  instrumental  in 
promoting  the  cultivation  of  fruit  in  all  parts  of  the  state. 
He  never  failed  to  attend  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
society  and  take  an  active  part  in  their  deliberations,  im- 


398 

pressing  his  practical  knowledge  and  embodying  it  in 
their  reports.  His  labors  in  this  connection  were  not  con- 
fined to  this  state,  but  he  attended  the  Missouri  State  Horti- 
cultural Society's  meetings,  and  took  part  in  its  delibera- 
tions. 

The  author's  first  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Snedeker  was 
at  these  annual  re-unions  of  the  state  society  and  at  the 
monthly  meetings  of  the  Alton  Horticultural  Society, 
which  once  or  oftener  each  year  met  and  were  entertained 
at  his  house,  he  and  Mrs.  Snedeker  making  the  large 
assemblage  of  lady  and  gentlemen  fruit-growers  as  happy 
as  they  did  the  soldiers  when  they  came  to  rout  the  guer- 
rillas from  Jersey  county. 

He  was  eminently  a  social  man.  Blessed  with  abund- 
ance, he  was  never  so  happy  as  when  dispensing  hospitality 
to  his  friends.  In  his  family  relations  he  was  most  happy. 
He  has  two  sons  living.  Hon.  Orville  A.  Snedeker,  receiv- 
ing his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Jerseyville, 
entered  Shurtleff  College,  Upper  Alton,  and  graduated, 
after  which  he  spent  two  years  in  Chicago  in  mercantile 
life  and  reading  law,  then  he  returned  to  Jerseyville  and 
spent  a  year  in  the  law  office  of  Judge  R.  A.  King,  after 
which  he  was  admitted  to  practice  law  in  the  supreme 
court.  He  then  opened  a  law  office  in  his  native  town, 
where  he  is  known  as  a  business  man  and  lawyer.  No 
higher  encomium  need  be  bestowed  on  him  than  the  esteem 
in  which  he  is  held  by  the  citizens  and  neighbors.  He  was 
married  in  1873  to  Miss  Emma  A.  Dalzell,  of  Philadelphia, 
Penn. 

The  other  son,  Samuel  J.  Snedeker,  is  a  typical  farmer, 
and  occupies  the  old  homestead,  just  east  of  the  city.  It  is 
a  fine  farm  of  several  hundred  broad  acres,  with  the  appli- 


ISAAC    SNEDEKER.  399 


oation,  energy  and  industry  to  manage  it  successfully.  He 
married,  in  1875,  Miss  Ann  E.  Dalzell,  of  Philadelphia,  a 
sister  of  his  brother's  wife.  He  has  four  children,  and  is 
a  prosperous  farmer. 

Isaac  Snedeker  departed  this  life  July  4th,  1877,  at  his 
home,  after  a  sickness  of  nearly  one  year,  terminating  in 
cancer  of  the  stomach.  He  contained  within  himself  all 
the  good  qualities  of  head  and  heart  that  ennobles  a  man, 
and  should  be  emulated.  Of  him  it  can  truly  be  said 
"  Being  dead,  he  yet  speaketh,"  for  he  will  live  in  the 
remembrance  of  a  large  circle  of  friends  for  many  years. 
Mrs.  Caroline  Snedeker  resides  with  her  son  Orville  in 
Jerseyville,  enjoying  good  health,  the  companionship  of 
the  families  of  old  neighbors  and  relatives,  enjoying  the 
evening  sunshine  of  life  wrhile  awaiting  the  Master's 
summons. 

Samuel  Snedeker,  brother  of  Isaac,  and  for  so  many 
years  connected  with  him  in  their  business  and  farming 
operations,  both  accumulating  large  estates,  died  at  Jersey- 
ville several  years  ago.  Jacob,  another  brother,  is  still 
living  near  Bunker  Hill,  Illinois.  There  are  two  sisters 
of  these  brothers :  Catherine,  married  to  Jacob  J.  Wells, 
of  Egypt,  Monroe  county,  New  York,  and  Mary  K.,  wife 
of  Luman  Curtiss,  of  Carrollton,  Greene  county,  this  state. 


GREENBERRY  L.  FORT. 


LATE    REPRESENT ATITE     IN    CONGRESS,    CITIZEN,    SOLDIER  ANI> 

STATESMAN. 


Right  pleasant  it  is  to  refer  to  one  whom  we  have  known 
since  childhood  days,  and  later  as  a  companion  and  school- 
mate. We  bring  our  personal  recollections  down  through 
succeeding  years  when  his  matured  mind,  stored  by  acquire- 
ments, fitted  him  to  fill  responsible  places  of  honor,  and  the 
laborious  duties  connected  with  the  trust  imposed  on  him. 
Such  a  sketch  we  present  of  the  subject  of  this  chapter. 

Greenberry  Lafayette  Fort  was  born  Oct.  11,  1825,  at 
French  Grant,  Sciota  county,  Ohio.  He  was  the  son  of 
Benjamin  and  Margaret  Fort,  who  in  1834  came  to  Round 
Prairie,  Putnam  county,  (now  Marshall)  in  this  state.  They 
embarked  on  board  a  steamer  and  came  down  the  Ohio  and 
by  way  of  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers  to  Peoria. 
Here  they  arranged  with  a  keel  boatman  to  transport  them- 
selves and  their  goods  a  distance  of  nearly  twenty-five  miles 
up  the  river  to  Crow  Creek  landing  near  by  where  some 
of  their  old  neighbors,  Timothy  and  Roderick  Owen,  had 
settled.  They  made  the  trip  in  due  time  and  found  their 
friends  waiting  to  receive  them.  When  arrived,  they  soon 
made  arrangements  for  the  transportation  of  their  goods  to 
where  Mrs.  Fort's  two  brothers,  the  Messrs.  Devers,  were 
living.  The  Devers  were  also  the  brother-in-laws  of  Capt. 
Robert  Barnes  and  Henry  B.  Barnes,  having  each  married 


GREENBERRY    L.    FORT.  401 

sisters  of  the  Barnes,  and  all  from  the  same  neighborhood 
in  Ohio.  So  the  Owen's,  Dever's,  Barnes',  and  now  Mr. 
Fort's  family  made  an  "  Ohio  settlement"  in  that  neighbor- 
hood in  Illinois. 

With  this  reference  to  the  family  connection,  and 
they  are  all  deserving  of  mention,  we  will  confine  our  sketch 
to  the  name  at  the  head  of  this  chapter. 

The  first  business  of  the  family  was  to  build  a  house  on 
the  land  the  father  had  bought,  then  he  enclosed  it  with 
a  fence,  and  at  the  proper  season,  prepared  to  break  the 
prairie  and  plant  the  crop. 

Greenberry  was  then  too  young  to  assist  much  in  the 
heavier  class  of  work,  he  '*  did  what  he  could  "  by  dropping 
corn,  driving  the  prairie  team,  and  any  work  that  a  boy  of 
his  age  could  do.  A  school  house  of  the  most  primitive 
kind  was  soon  erected  by  the  action  and  strength  of  the 
whole  neighborhood,  for  farmers  of  the  intelligence  of  those 
we  have  named  would  not  remain  long  without  a  school- 
house  for  their  children  to  attend.  Young  Greenberry 
attended  the  first  term  of  school  held  at  this  union  school- 
house,  built  after  the  prevailing  fashion  of  that  day,  on 
the  broad  guage  principle,  the  fireplace  occupying  the  whole 
end  of  the  house,  with  chimney  at  the  top  for  the  smoke  to 
emerge,  puncheon  floor,  benches  made  from  small  logs  split 
in  two,  and  the  broad  side  hewed  smooth,  puncheon  wri- 
ting desks  extending  along  the  whole  of  one  side  and  end 
of  the  house,  the  windows  just  a  log  cut  out  the  whole 
length,  and  a  single  row  of  eight  by  ten  sash  set  with  glass, 
extending  the  whole  length,  the  house  being  kept  comfort- 
able by  a  huge  log  fire  built  at  the  chimney  end  of  the 
house.  This,  in  short,  is  a  brief  description  of  this  school- 
house  where  several  future  congressmen,  members  of  legis- 

26 


402  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

lature,  circuit  judges,  county  officials,  editors,  etc.,  received 
their   first   "  send    off"    in    the  direction    of  their    future 


greatness. 


It  was  at  this  "seat  of  learning"  that  young  Green- 
berry  made  his  first  essays  for  an  education,  attending  in 
the  winter  season,  working  on  the  farm  in  summer,  and 
helping  in  the  gathering  of  the  crops  in  the  autumn,  pre- 
paratory to  entering  school  again.  Thus  the  years  rolled 
on,  and  he  grew  strong  and  "  nervy,"  helpful  to  others  as 
well  as  himself,  for  it  is  said  of  him  that  when  home-work 
was  completed  he  always  stood  ready  to  help  a  neighbor. 

In  1845  he  first  attended  Rock  River  Seminary  at 
Mount  Morris,  Ogle  county,  and  continued  several  terms 
until  he  graduated,  and  returning  to  Lacon  he  commenced 
the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Silas  Ramsey, 
county  judge,  then  a  prominent  lawyer  and  afterwards  a 
member  of  the  legislature,  and  in  the  war  of  the  Rebellion 
major  in  the  regular  army.  Greenberry  L.  Fort  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar  in  1849-50,  and  commenced  practice.  His 
first  brief  was  made  in  the  Woodford  Circuit  Court,  Judge 
David  Davis,  late  vice-president,  being  the  presiding 
judge.  His  client  was  Dr.  Harlow  Barney,  and  his  op- 
posing counsel  Abraham  Lincoln.  Fort,  having  the  right 
side,  won  the  suit,  it  being  the  first  acquaintance  he  had 
with  Mr.  Lincoln.  They  were  always  after  that  strong 
friends.  His  case  being  before  such  an  eminent  and  able 
judge,  his  opposing  counsel  so  distinguished,  and  he  gaining 
his  first  case,  it  augured  well  for  the  young  counselor,  and 
his  wide  acquaintance  gave  promise  of  his  stepping  into  a 
large  practice  at  the  outset. 

In  1850  the  whig  party  was   in  a  minority  of  some  200 
in  Marshall  county,  but  they  sometimes  succeeded  by  pre- 


GREENBERRY    L.    FORT.  403 

senting  the  most  popular  man,  and  they  were  casting  their 
horoscope  over  the  political  horizon  to  discern  the  "coming 
man  "  for  sheriff,  who  could  defeat  the  democratic  cham- 
pion, Addison  Ramsey,  a  former  sheriff,  who  had  some  very 
strong  and  devoted  friends  in  his  own  party,  and  some  that 
were  opposed  to  his  again  being  elected. 

The  whigs,  after  a  long  consultation,  finally  united  in 
asking  the  popular  young  attorney  to  become  their  candi- 
date. From  the  fact  of  his  having  grown  up  in  the  county, 
his  large  connection  by  relationship  with  leading  and  in- 
fluential families,  some  of  them  being  democrats,  they  in 
turn  using  their  influence  with  others  —  and  another  added 
reason,  that  he  had  a  large  following  among  the  young  men 
of  the  county  of  both  parties  —  all  these  reasons  pointed  to 
him  as  combining  all  the  influences  that  would  secure  suc- 
cess. His  name  was  announced,  and  a  personal  as  well  as 
political  canvass  was  made,  and  when  the  votes  were  counted 
he  was  "counted  in"  by  a  majority  of  four  votes  —  thus 
overcoming  two  hundred  political  majority  against  him  in 
the  county. 

He  entered  on  the  duties  of  his  office,  administered  the 
duties  faithfully,  increasing  his  popularity  with  the  people, 
and  when  his  term  of  office  expired,  he  was  nominated  in 
1852  as  a  candidate  for  circuit  clerk,  and  this  time  elected 
by  a  large  majority.  His  duties  as  sheriff  had  been  per- 
formed so  unexceptionally  that  his  popularity  was  largely 
increased. 

In  1854  his  father  died,  at  the  age  of  80  years,  and  the 
following  year  his  aged  mother,  both  honored  and  respected 
by  all  who  knew  them.  When  his  term  expired  in 
1856  he  was  nominated  for  county  judge,  a  judicial  position 
he  was  eminently  qualified  to  fill  from  his  long  official  ex- 


404  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

perience  and  his  fine  legal  attainments.  We  need  not  say 
that  his  four  years'  services  as  circuit  clerk  were  performed 
with  dispatch,  increasing  the  regard  and  respect  of  the  peo- 
ple for  his  honesty  and  fidelity. 

His  candidacy  with  the  people  was  popular  and  he  was 
elected  to  the  judgeship.  It  was  during  his  term  that  the 
great  senatorial  canvass  of  1858  between  Abraham  Lincoln 
and  Stephen  A.  Douglas  occurred.  The  contest  was  very 
animated,  and  Judge  Fort  entered  the  canvass,  making 
many  addresses  in  different  parts  of  the  senatorial  and  rep- 
resentative district,  and  his  great  influence  was  shown  in 
the  result. 

It  was  during  this  year  that  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Clara  E.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Robert  Boal,  the  oldest  and  lead- 
ing physician  of  the  place,  now  of  Peoria. 

The  presidential  campaign  of  1860  also  brought  its 
duties  and  requirements.  He  had  been  the  recipient  of  the 
official  favors  of  the  people  for  ten  years  without  a  break. 
His  influence  was  greater  than  ever,  and  the  demands  of  the 
campaign  required  patriotic  endeavor,  an  unselfish  giving 
of  time  and  means  to  the  cause.  His  eloquent  voice  and 
the  arguments  at  his  command  were  required,  and  he 
gave  them.  The  canvass  through,  the  victory  won,  the 
people's  choice,  Abraham  Lincoln,  elected,  the  winter  of 
1860-61  was  passed  in  closing  his  judicial  career  as  judge. 
He  had  been  no  careless  observer  of  passing  events. 
Southern  secession  had  raised  its  hydra  head  and  only 
waited  the  organization  of  its  forces  to  show  an  armed 
front  —  a  defiance  of  the  law  by  force  of  arms. 

He  had  set  his  affairs  in  order,  and  when  Sumter  was 
fired  on  he  stepped  into  the  ranks,  and  a  company  was 
organized,  Company  B,  llth  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteer 


GREENBERRY    L.    FORT.  405 

Infantry.  Capt.  Fred.  W.  Shaw,  who  so  gallantly  fell  at 
the  head  of  his  company  at  Donelson,  was  elected  captain, 
and  Judge  Fort  was  elected  first  lieutenant,  and  the  regi- 
ment was  mustered  in  at  Springfield  April  22d,  in  the 
three  months'  service.  This  term  of  service  was  the  train- 
ing school  of  the  regiment,  and  was  spent  in  the  vicinity 
of  Cairo,  at  Villa  Ridge  and  at  Bird's  Point.  Returning, 
he  recruited  Company  I  for  the  same  regiment  for  three 
years,  and  in  order  to  get  them  forward  promptly,  furnished 
the  funds  to  facilitate  their*  equipment  from  his  own  means, 
and  the  Eleventh  was  again  soon  on  the  march,  this 
time  to  the  gory  fields  of  Fort  Henry,  Donelson,  Shiloh, 
Vicksburg,  and  numerous  other  battles  of  the  war. 

His  business  qualifications  were  of  such  high  order  that 
after  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson  President  Lincoln  selected 
him  as  quartermaster,  and  he  was  detached  from  his  regi- 
ment to  be  sent  wherever  duty  called,  to  look  after  the  for- 
warding of  supplies.  His  position  was  one  of  peculiar 
trust,  often  determining  great  movements.  Added  to  this 
he  was  made  the  custodian  of  rebel  property  captured,  to 
dispose  of  it  and  turn  the  proceeds  into  the  treasury. 
When  the  army  was  operating  in  the  rear  of  Vicksburg  a 
large  amount  of  rebel  cotton  was  captured.  The  sale  of  it 
was  entrusted  to  him,  and  he  realized  over  half  a  million 
dollars  from  it.  At  Holly  Springs  his  papers,  government 
vouchers  and  baggage  were  captured  by  the  rebels,  and 
without  them  his  accounts  would  be  confused  and  uncertain. 
At  great  labor  and  expense  to  himself  he  made  out  dupli- 
cates of  everything.  His  care  and'  oversight  over  a  wide 
field  of  the  army's  operations  were-extensive  and  very  often 
dangerous,  as  he  passed  from  brigade  to  division  and  from 
division  to  army  corps.  The  Army  of  the  Tennessee  was 


406  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

his  charge  until  after  the  capture  of  Vicksburg,  then  he  pre- 
pared for  the  Red  Kiver  expedition.  After  that  was  pro- 
vided for,  the  various  raiding  expeditions  in  every  direction 
claimed  his  attention. 

"When  Sherman's  "  March  to  the  Sea  "  was  determined 
on,  he  was  appointed  chief  quartermaster  of  the  Fifteenth 
Army  Corps,  commanded  by  Gen.  J.  A.  Logan,  giving 
his  attention  to  details  and  fulfilling  its  duties.  He 
staid  "close  up  to  the  boys"  throughout  that  memorable 
campaign,  and  witnessed  the  surrender  of  General  Johnson 
at  Greensboro,  and  joined  in  the  triumphant  march  to 
Washington,  witnessing  the  grand  review. 

It  was  at  this  grand  ovation  to  the  Nation's  soldiery 
that  many  thousands  of  officers  arid  privates  laid  aside  "  the 
pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war"  and  departed 
from  Washington  to  their  different  states  to  the  points 
assigned,  to  receive  their  pay  and  honorable  discharge  — 
and  what  was  more  gratifying  to  them,  the  grand  welcome 
from  their  fellow-citizens.  Not  so  with  Col.  Fort.  The 
country  had  yet  further  need  for  his  services  and  he  was 
sent  to  Texas,  to  the  "  Southwestern  Department,"  to  close 
up  the  accounts  of  the  government  with  all  the  regiments 
in  that  branch  of  the  service.  This  duty  required  his  ser- 
vices until  late  in  the  spring  of  1866,  when  he  settled  his 
accounts  with  the  government,  and  they  were  found  correct. 
During  his  administration  of  the  quartermaster's  duties  in 
the  different  departments  to  which  he  was  called,  millions 
of  dollars  passed  through  his  hands,  and  every  cent  was  re- 
ligiously accounted  for.  On  his  return  to  his  home  in  the 
early  summer  of  1866*  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law  at 
Lacon  and  giving  attention  to  private  business,  which  was 
large.  But  his  respite  from  public  service  was  short.  The 


GREENBERRY    L.    FORT.  407 

people  of  his  senatorial  district  knew  the  man,  and  when 
the  republican  convention  met  in  September  following  to 
select  a  candidate,  Col.  Fort  was  chosen  without  any  effort 
on  his  part;  "the  office  sought  the  man,"  and  at  the  No- 
vember election  he  was  elected  from  the  district  composing 
the  counties  of  Peoria,  Marshall,  Woodford  and  Putnam, 
and  in  January,  1867,  he  took  his  seat  among  the  people's 
representatives. 

In  this  new  field  he  took  front  rank  among  the  work- 
ing members,  many  of  the  laws  then  passed  bearing  the 
impress  of  his  formative  hand.  He  was  a  member  of 
several  of  the  most  important  committees.  As  chairman  of 
the  penitentiary  committee  he  secured  the  passage  of  the 
law  giving  convicts  credit  for  good  behavior,  to  be  placed 
to  their  credit  on  the  time  of  their  sentence. 

When  his  term  expired  he  declined  a  re-election,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Hon.  Mark  Bangs,  also  a  citizen  of  Lacon 
and  a  strong  personal  friend.  He  retired  from  public  life 
and  devoted  himself  to  his  law  practice  and  the  management 
of  his  large  private  business.  Col.  Fort  was  a  man  of 
business,  careful  and  attentive  in  the  management  of  his 
private  affairs,  as  he  was  in  his  public  life.  He  carefully 
applied  his  earnings  at  the  outset  of  his  official  life  to  in- 
vestments in  real  estate,  some  at  that  time  bought  at  gov- 
ernment price,  and  in  after  years  made  investments  in  Ne- 
braska and  other  western  lauds.  So  he  found  in  1870  that 
he  had  a  large  estate  to  manage,  and  as  he  was  improving 
his  lands  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  have  some  respite  from 
official  duties. 

In  1872,  under  the  new  apportionment,  the  counties  of 
Kankakee,  Iroquois,  Ford,  Livingston,  Woodford  and  Mar- 
shall were  formed  into  the  Eighth  Congressional  District, 


408 

and  the  people  of  the  new  district  began  to  cast  about  for 
the  man  to  represent  their  interests  in  Congress.  Almost 
all  of  the  counties  had  their  "  favorite  sons."  Kankakee 
presented  her  brilliant  STARR,  Iroquois  her  gleaming,  sharp 
and  shining  BLADES,  Livington  presented  her  Senatorial 
Ajax  STREVELL,  and  Marshall  the  impregnable,  invulnera- 
ble and  strong  FORT.  The  other  two  counties  held  in  re- 
serve as  "  dark  horses,"  men  who,  Barkis-like,  were 
"  willin  "  to  have  a  lightning  stroke  in  the  shape  of  a  nomi- 
nation to  Congress,  our  old  friend  BAYNE,  of  Woodford, 
being  on  the  tender  hooks  of  expectancy. 

Such  was  the  political  situation  when  the  Congressional 
Convention  met  at  Fairbury  in  August,  1872.  The 
aspirants  with  their  friends  were  early  on  the  ground.  It 
was  an  animated  but  friendly  contest.  Each  competitor, 
while  making  his  best  effort  to  succeed,  was  on  the  most 
cordial  terms  with  his  opponents.  After  many  ballotings 
and  consultations  it  was  manifest  that  there  would  be  a 
break.  •  Livingston  county  was  the  vulnerable  point. 
StrevelPs  friends  were  willing  to  yield,  and  from  Col. 
Fort's  general  acquaintance  in  that  county  it  was  under- 
stood who  would  get  the  votes  of  that  delegation. 

The  Livingston  and  Ford  delegations  came  over  to 
Fort,  and  the  other  aspirants,  understanding  what  the 
result  would  be  soon,  withdrew,  and  he  received  the  unan- 
imous nomination  of  the  convention,  thus  showing  that  he 
still  held  his  old  place  in  the  affections  of  the  people. 

He  was  elected  in  the  following  November,  and  contin- 
ued to  be  re-elected  to  each  succeding  Congress  until  1878, 
his  last  term  ending  March  4,  1881.  His  record  in  Con- 
gress was  satisfactory  to  his  entire  constituency,  even  his 
political  opponents  conceded  honesty  of  purpose,  many  of 


GREENBERRY   L.    FORT.  409 

them  at  each  recurring  election  casting  their  votes  for  him. 
In  1880  he  absolutely  declined  a  re-election.  His  am- 
bition for  political  preferment,  never  strong,  was  fully 
satisfied.  A  great  many  of  his  friends  in  many  parts  of  the 
state,  through  the  press  and  public  meetings,  presented  his 
name  as  a  candidate  for  governor  in  1880,  but  he  took  no 
active  part  in  the  matter.  At  the  Republican  State  Con- 
vention he  received  a  very  flattering  vote,  but  the  majority 
on  the  third  ballot  nominated  Hon.  S.  M.  Cullom. 

His  record  in  Congress  was  most  successful.  He 
made  his  impress  on  the  legislation  of  the  country  on  all 
the  important  questions  that  were  settled  during  the  time 
he  was  in  congress.  The  currency  question,  remonetization 
of  silver,  resumption  and  many  others,  as  presented,  received 
his  careful  attention.  His  methods  were  honest,  open  and 
frank.  He  was  a  man  of  business,  careful  and  attentive, 
possessing  wonderful  judgment  and  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  men. 

In  summing  up  his  qualities  as  a  legislator  a  journalist 
says  of  him  :  a  Without  bluster  or  pretension  he  steadily 
pursued  his  way,  and  accomplished  greater  results  than  any 
congressman  in  the  West.  His  manner  was  dignified  but 
approachable  and  courteous,  and  his  personal  popularity 
absolutely  unbounded." 

Although  never  seeking  office  no  man  ever  had  more 
official  honors  thrust  upon  him.  When  his  name  was  pre- 
sented as  a  candidate  from  an  authoritative  body  —  a 
convention  met  for  that  purpose  —  then  he  entered  the  can- 
vass. He  was  always  successful,  from  the  time  he  was 
elected  sheriff  until  his  last  election  to  Congress,  he  never 
knew  or  felt  the  sensation  or  feeling  of  disappointment 
supposed  to  attach  to  a  defeated  candidate. 


410  FIFTY    YEAES*    RECOLLECTIONS. 

He  went  into  the  army  from  pure  patriotism,  volunteer- 
ing in  the  ranks,  but  the  men  knew  "  in  whom  to  trust/* 
and  called  him  to  direct  affairs.  It  was  no  management  on 
his  part  that  he  was  taken  from  his  company  and  appointed 
a  quartermaster;  the  position  came  to  him  unsought,  with- 
out his  knowledge,  and  came  directly  from  the  man  that 
knew  him  so  well  —  Abraham  Lincoln. 

The  author  speaks  feelingly,  having  a  knowledge  of  the 
matters  whereof  he  writes,  and  speaks  from  facts  learned  in 
youthful  days  sitting  on  the  same  benches,  writing  at  the 
same  desk,  warming  at  the  same  broad  fireplace  at  the  old 
school  house  described  at  the  beginning  of  this  chapter,  the 
author  being  seven  years  the  senior,  but  all  the  same  a 
boy  of  that  period,  full  of  sympathy  for  boy-kind,  and  par- 
ticipating with  the  younger  scholars  in  all  their  sports. 

Col.  Fort  died  at  Lacon  January  13,  1883,  from 
embolism,  in  the  fifty-seventh  year  of  his  age.  Death  came 
suddenly,  and  after  his  prostration  he  never  rallied  to  con- 
sciousness. When  the  stroke  came  he  was  engaged  near 
his  residence  in  his  ordinary  business,  just  at  the  moment 
training  a  young  colt,  when  it  was  noticed  that  his  head 
dropped,  he  threw  up  his  arms  and  fell  backward  to  the 
ground,  living  a  few  hours,  but  not  conscious.  Mrs.  Fort 
and  son  Robert  were  absent  on  a  visit  to.  her  two  brothers 
in  Chicago.  The  sad  news  was  wired  to  her.  She  returned 
by  special  train  furnished  by  President  Blackstone  of  the 
Chicago  &  Alton  railroad,  but  the  honored  husband  was 
unconscious,  and  died  soon  after  her  and  her  son's  arrival. 

Thus  passed  from  life,  in  the  zenith  of  his  powers  of 
mind  and  great  usefulness,  Greenberry  L.  Fort,  the  warm 
friend,  the  useful  citizen,  the  incorruptible  official, — strick- 
en suddenly  while  supposed  to  be  in  robust  health,  his 


GREENBERRY    L.    FORT.  411 

death  came  to  his  old  neighbors,  to  the  people  of  the  state 
and  country  suddenly,  like  a  clap  of  thunder  from  a  clear 
sky.  All  sorrowed  for  him.  He  was  an  intimate  personal 
friend  of  thousands,  and  although  the  weather  was  very 
inclement  there  was  a  large  attendance  at  his  funeral. 
The  services  were  short  but  impressive  and  appropriate, 
and  all  that  was  mortal  of  the  citizen,,  soldier  and  the 
statesman  was  laid  away,  leaving  pleasant  memories 
to  be  remembered  by  all  who  knew  him. 


CAPT.    WILLIAM   H.  MANN. 

HORTICULTURIST,  FARMER  AND  STOCK   GROWER. 


Away  back  in  the  fifties,  when  people  of  our  then  young 
state  first  commenced  thinking  of  divesting  themselves  of 
the  swaddling  clothes  of  the  frontier  and  launching  out  in 
improved  methods  of  farming,  and  devising  plans  that 
would  improve,  and  at  the  same  time  beautify,  there 
came  to  this  state  a  young  man  of  plain  habits,  correct 
morals,  endowed  with  good  judgment,  and  of  most  indus- 
trious application  to  business.  These  qualities  drew  him  to 
us,  and  since  that  time  we  have  numbered  him  among  our 
valued  friends. 

William  H.  Mann  was  born  in  Adair  county,  Ken- 
tucky, April  21,  1827,  and  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of 
five  children.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  but  two 
years  old.  When  he  was  four  years  old  his  father  moved 
to  Montgomery  county,  Illinois,  and  enlisted  in  the  force 
then  being  organized  to  defend  the  settlers  against  Black 
Hawk  and  his  murderous  hordes  in  the  northwest  part  of 
the  state.  His  father  inherited  the  old  Daniel  Boone  hos- 
tility to  the  Indian,  and  whenever  there  was  a  chance  he 
improved  the  opportunity  to  rid  the  community  of  them. 
He  was  a  brave  soldier  and  a  good  man.  When  William 
was  eight  years  old  his  father  died}  and  with  one  of  his 
brothers  and  only  sister  he  returned  to  Kentucky,  where 
part  of  the  time  he  did  such  work  as  boys  can  do,  attend- 


CAPT.    WILLIAM    H.    MANN.  41  ^ 

ing  a  few  weeks  each  year  such  schools  as  that  part  of  the 
state  afforded . 

At  twelve  years  old  he  went  to  Lewis  county,  Missouri, 
and  worked  on  a  farm  for  his  board  and  clothing,  going  to 
school  only  six  months  during  the  six  years  he  staid  there. 
Then  he  returned  again  to  Kentucky,  where  most  of  his 
friends  resided. 

After  visiting  friends  a  short  time  he  went  to  Texas, 
and  soon  after  arriving  there  enlisted  in  a  company  of 
Texas  Rangers,  entered  the  United  States  service  when  .the 
Mexican  war  was  declared,  participated  in  several  engage- 
ments, and  when  his  term  of  service  expired  he  was  hon- 
orably discharged. 

While  in  Texas  he  was  induced  to  prepare  and  pack 
for  market  a  few  bushels  of  Osage  Orange  seed ;  a  tedious 
operation.  When  the  seeds  were  packed  he  started  north 
with  them,  landing  in  Peoria  in  February,  1848.  This 
was  the  pioneer  introduction  of  the  Osage  Orange  to  the 
Western  prairies,  and  dates  the  commencement  of  that  en- 
terprise. Mr.  Mann  failed  to  sell  his  seed,  as  nurserymen 
and  farmers  were  not  then  acquainted  with  the  value  of  the 
shrub,  and  did  not  know  whether  it  could  be  acclimated. 
Here  he  became  acquainted  with  Messrs.  Harkness  & 
Overman,  then  the  most  extensive  nurserymen  in  that  part 
of  the  state. 

They  encouraged  him  to  engage  in  the  growing  of 
hedge  plants.  He  did  so,  and  it  was  a  success,  and  the 
business  has  been  successfully  carried  on  ever  since ;  some 
years  producing  fifty  million  plants.  He  located  near 
Bloomington  on  part  of  the  land  now  occupied  by  the  city 
of  Normal,  and  in  connection  with  Mr.  Overman  he  en- 
gaged in  the  general  nursery  business,  being  a  general 


414  FIFTY    YEAES     KECOLLECTIONS. 

benefactor  to  the  whole  country,  supplying  fruit  trees, 
hedge  plants,  and  trees  for  shade  and  ornament. 

In  October,  1851,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Abraham, 
of  Bloomington,  a  practical,  industrious,  intelligent  young 
lady,  to  whom  he  ascribes  a  great  part  of  the  credit  of  his 
great  success  in  the  years  since  then.  To  them  have  been 
born  nine  sous,  six  of  them  still  living. 

When  the  success  of  the  Osage  Orange  was  assured  as 
a  hedge  shrub  Mr.  Mann  engaged  extensively  in  the  Osage 
seed  business,  making  almost  annual  trips  to  Texas  to 
make  his  contracts.  From  his  hundreds  of  bushels  of  seed 
he  supplied  growers  of  plants  and  nurserymen  throughout 
the  prairie  pgrtion  of  Illinois  and  some  in  other  western 
states.  He  extended  operations  to  other  counties  planting 
a  nursery  in  Marshall  county  and  another  in  LaSalle  county. 

The  years  of  the  fifties  rolled  on,  he  enjoying  the  pros- 
perity due  to  incessant  and  laborious  attention  to  business, 
his  operations  extending  in  proportion.  The  year  1860,  that 
portentious  year,  big  with  events  of  the  future,  fore- 
shadowed by  the  result  of  the  presidential  election,  stopped 
further  communication  with  the  south  of  a  commercial 
character  till  the  year  after  the  war.  It  also  suspended  the 
trade  in  Osage  Orange  seed,  but  the  stock  of  plants  that  he 
was  growing  advanced  greatly  in  price,  as  did  other  nursery 
stock  during  the  war. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  Mr.  Mann  contributed 
his  aid  to  fill  up  the  first  quotas  of  troops  by  time  given 
and  means  furnished.  Known  in  nearly  every  county  of 
Central  and  Northern  Illinois  for  his  public  spirit  and  in- 
fluence, it  is  nothing  strange  that  when  a  company  for  a 
regiment  then  being  organized  was  being  raised  in  his 
neighborhood,  the  eyes  of  all  should  be  directed  towards 


CAPT.    WILLIAM    H.    MANN.  415 

him  to  command  it,  and  Company  I,  Ninety-fourth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  Col.  W.  W.  Orme  commanding,  chose 
him  as  captain,  he  never  losing  a  day  from  duty  during  the 
two  years  he  remained  in  the  service. 

After  serving  thus  faithfully  he  resigned  his  commission 
for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  colored  regiment,  but  at 
the  time  there  were  so  many  permissions  granted  for  that 
purpose,  the  quota  required  in  that  branch  of  the  service 
was  filled,  and  his  patriotic  intention  of  furnishing  the  gov- 
ernment a  regiment  and  commanding  it  cculd  not  be  carried 
out.  Captain  Mann  was  a  favorite  with  his  superior 
officers,  always  at  his  post,  and  as  he  never  used  intoxica- 
ting liquors  they  knew  he  could  be  trusted. 

He  returned  from  the  war  and  resumed  his  place  in 
conducting  the  business  that  his  partner,  the  late  C.  R. 
Overman,  had  successfully  carried  forward  during  his  ab- 
sence. When  the  war  was  over  he  resumed  business  rela- 
tions with  Texas,  and  again  visited  that  state,  the  scene  of 
his  first  military  experience.  His  old  friends  there  who 
survived  the  war  recognized  that  genial  and  honest  face, 
covered  by  the  great  broad-brimmed  hat.  They  knew  that 
his  advent  among  them  meant  honest  trading,  prompt  pay 
in  Yankee  money  —  the  much-desired  and  sought  after 
greenbacks,  and  this  "bridged  over  the  bloody  chasm," 
and  again  for  years  the  trade  was  established  so  important 
to  the  farming  interests  in  the  prairie  states.  In  1868  he 
was  attracted  to  the  great  artesian  belt  in  Iroquois  county, 
and  made  a  large  purchase  of  land  adjoining  the  new  city 
of  Oilman,  at  the  junction  of  the  Illinois  Central  and 
Wabash  railroads. 

He  sold  his  property  at  Normal,  removing  his  family  to 
his   new    purchase,  and    inaugurated    large   improvements, 


416  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

planted  out  over  two  hundred  acres  in  fruit-seeds  of  all 
kinds  that  are  hardy  in  this  climate,  also  many  acres  in 
Osage  seed  to  supply  the  largely  increasing  demand.  He 
commenced  at  once  the  erection  of  a  large  brick  house  on 
the  most  elevated  portion  of  his  land,  immediately  adjoin- 
ing the  city  and  overlooking  it  and  the  surrounding  country 
for  miles.  This  house  was  fitted  up  with  all  the  modern 
improvements,  he  intending  it  for  his  permanent  home.  In 
the  fifteen  years  past  he  has  prospered,  and  his  sons  have 
grown  up  around  him.  He  has  given  each  a  good  practical 
education,  they  inheriting  from  both  father  and  mother 
business  tact  and  industry. 

Several  years  ago  he  added  the  business  of  importing 
and  breeding  Norman  horses  to  his  enterprises,  and  to  that, 
some  four  years  ago,  the  importation  of  Holstein  cattle. 
In  all  his  business  ventures  he  has  been  a  successful  man. 
His  stud  of  horses  and  herd  of  Holsteins  carry  off  large 
premiums  at  the  fairs. 

In  benevolent  donations  he  has  been  liberal.  His 
church  connections  since  he  arrived  at  man's  estate  have 
been  with  the  Church  of  the  Disciples,  or  Christian  Church. 
In  politics  he  is  an  unwavering  republican.  As  in  his 
army  experiences  offices  of  trust  have  been  thrust  upon 
him.  Soon  after  his  removal  to  Oilman  he  was,  by  unani- 
mous designation  of  his  fellow-citizens,  appointed  postmas- 
ter, and  held  that  office  until  he  resigned  it  two  years  ago. 

In  December,  1881,  Mr.  Mann  visited  Florida,  and  was 
so  well  pleased  with  it  that  in  October  last  he  removed 
there,  leaving  his  extensive  business  at  Oilman  in  charge 
of  his  sons.  He  will  make  that  state  his  permanent  home. 
He  has  purchased  a  large  body  of  land,  embracing  several 
clear  water  lakes,  on  the  line  of  the  Florida  Southern 


CAPT.    WILLIAM    H.    MANN.  417 

Railway,  fifteen  miles  west  of  the  St.  Johns  river,  where  he 
has  laid  out  a  town,  a  railroad  station,  established  a  post- 
office,  Mannville,  and  will  plant  out  two  hundred  acres  of 
orange  trees  as  soon  as  the  work  can  be  done,  besides  other 
fruits  that  his  superior  judgment  will  enable  him  to  select 
that  will  succeed  in  that  locality. 

It  is  the  province  of  our  work  to  recognize  merit  in 
individuals  in  their  success  in  conducting  great  industries. 
In  Capt.  Mann  we  have  one  of  this  type.  Without 
educational  advantages,  an  orphan,  an  untutored  boy,  com- 
mencing life  as  a  soldier  boy,  where  the  merit  was  in  well 
performing  his  part,  he  entered  upon  a  business  life  when 
scarcely  attained  to  full  manhood  ;  he  filled  a  place  in  the 
advancement  and  improvement  of  the  country  that  proba- 
bly no  other  man  would  have  filled.  He  succeeded,  and 
when  the  dark  days  of  '61  came,  that  tried  men's  love  of 
country  —  their  patriotism — he  stepped  into  the  ranks.  His 
early  army  experience  pointed  to  him  to  lead  the  little 
band,  and  the  soldier  boys  were  not  disappointed  in  their 
choice. 


27 


HON.  JAMES  MCCARTNEY. 


ATTORNEY   GENERAL   OF   ILLINOIS. 


James  McCartney  was  born  in  Perry  county,  Pa.,  Feb. 
14,  1835.  He  was  of  Scotch  ancestry,  but  his  parents  were 
of  North  Ireland  birth. 

When  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  only  six  years  old 
his  father  moved  to  Lawrence  county,  Pa.,  and  resided 
there  for  about  five  years,  then  moved  to  Trumbull  county, 
Ohio,  and  engaged  in  farming.  During  the  winter  months 
James  went  to  school,  advanced  rapidly  in  his  studies, 
and  entered  the  high  school  with  the  greatest  energy 
and  diligence  and  when  winter  terms  of  school  offered  an 
an  opportunity  he  obtained  a  position  as  a  teacher.  When 
his  term  expired,  he  in  turn  became  a  student  at  the  North 
Western  Seminary,  at  Farmington,  Ohio,  and  during  his 
college  life  here  he  often  visited  Hiram  College,  Ohio,  then 
presided  over  by  Jas.  A.  Garfield.  In  1856  he  entered  the 
law  office  of  Matthew  Birchard,  at  Warren,  Ohio,  and 
commenced  the  study  of  law,  where  he  remained  about  one 
year,  and  in  October^  1857,  went  to  Monmouth,  Illinois, 
in  the  office  of  Harding  &  Reed,  where  he  finished 
reading,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1858,  and  immedi- 
ately entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Reed.  In  1859 
he  removed  to  Galva,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  and  success- 
fully practiced  law  until  the  war  broke  out.  On  the  19th 
of  April,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  a  company  raised  at  Galva, 


HON.  JAMES  MCCARTNEY,  ATTORNEY-GENERAL. 


HON.    JAMES     MACARTNEY.  419 

and  was  elected  first  lieutenant.  The  company  was  mus- 
tered into  service  as  Company  D,  Seventeenth  Illinois 
Infantry.  After  serving  faithfully  until  after  the  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson  his  health  failed  from  exposure,  and  he  was 
•compelled  to  resign  his  commission.  He  visited  the  Lake 
Superior  regions,  and  recovering  his  health,  returned  and 
again  entered  the  service  as  first  lieutenant  in  Company  G. 
112th  Illinois  Infantry,  Col.  x  Thomas  J.  Henderson  com- 
manding. He  was  soon  after  promoted  to  a  captaincy  and 
served  through  the  war,  and  mustered  out  with  the  regi- 
ment at  Camp  Douglas  in  July,  1865.  While  in  the 
service  he  was  engaged  on  special  duty  as  judge-advocate 
of  court  martials,  and  for  nearly  a  year  as  assistant  adjutant 
general  of  the  Third  Brigade,  Third  Division  Cavalry 
Corps,  Army  of  the  Ohio.  After  being  mustered  out  of  the 
service  in  1865,  he  immediately  went  to  Fairfield,  Wayne 
county,  111.,  and  again  commenced  the  practice  of  law,  in 
which  he  has  engaged  ever  since. 

At  the  Republican  State  Convention  held  at  Springfield 
May  21,  1880,  he  was  nominated  for  attorney-general  and 
was  elected,  proving  by  the  general  satisfaction  given  that 
he  is  very  acceptable  to  the  people. 

He  possesses  great  legal  ability,  competent  in  every 
respect  to  fill  the  position  of  chief  legal  adviser  to  the  state. 
Personally  we  have  enjoyed  much  pleasure  in  his  company, 
and  always  found  him  deeply  engaged  in  giving  considera- 
tion to  his  official  duties,  which  are  very  laborious. 

He  has  been  called  to  Washington  to  argue  cases  before 
the  supreme  court  in  which  the  state  was  interested,  and 
takes  rank  among  the  ablest  lawyers  of  the  state. 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES, 


THE  SUGAR  INTEREST. 


In  giving  place  to  successful  results  from  scientific  re- 
search we  deem  it  due  to  the  pioneers  in  a  new  industry 
to  give  prominence  and  encouragement  to  their  enterprise. 

As  soon  as  the  publication  of  our  work  was  decided 
upon,  we  wrote  to  Professors  Weber  and  Scovell  to  furnish 
for  publication  a  full  statement  of  the  advancement  made  in 
perfecting  the  manufacture  of  sugar  from  the  sorghum  cane. 
They  have  cheerfully  responded  to  our  request,  and  before 
giving  their  very  satisfactory  article  place,  we  will  give  a 
brief  sketch  of  these  eminent  scientists. 

H.  A.  Weber,  Ph.  D.,  was  born  at  Clinton ville,  near 
Columbus,  Ohio,  July  12th,  1845.  He  attended  Otterbien 
University  at  Westerville,  Ohio,  from  1861  to  1863,  then 
went  to  Europe  and  entered  the  Polytechnic  School  at 
Kaiserstantern,  in  the  Palatinate,  from  1863  to  1866,  and 
from  these  scientific  schools  was  advanced  in  1866  to  the 
University  of  Munich,  Bavaria;  attended  until  1868,  where 
he  studied  chemistry  under  Baron  Von  Liebig  and  Dr. 
Reischauer,  and  mineralogy  under  Von  Kobell,  graduating 
at  all  these  institutions  with  honors.  Returning  to  the 
United  States  he  engaged  in  the  chemical  department  of  the 
Geological  Survey  of  Ohio  from  1869  to  1874.  In  the 
latter  year  he  accepted  the  chair  of  professor  of  chemistry 
and  mineralogy  at  the  Industrial  University  at  Champaign, 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES.  421 

filling  it  acceptably  until  the  fall  of  1882,  and  during  the 
autumn  of  last  year  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
sugar.  We  give  place  to  his  able  paper  on  the  experi- 
ments in  growing  and  manufacturing  the  sorghum  product 
into  sugar. 

M.  A.  Scovell,  M.  S.,  was  born  at  Broadway,  New" 
Jersey,  February  26,  1855,  and  entered  the  Illinois  Indus- 
trial University  in  1871,  and  graduated  in  the  school  of 
-chemistry  with  the  degree  of  B.  S.,  in  1875,  and  at  once 
occupied  the  position  of  First  Assistant  in  the  Chemical 
Department  until  1878,  then  was  offered  and  accepted  the 
chair  of  Professor  of  Agricultural  Chemistry  from  1878  to 
1882,  when  with  Prof.  Weber  he  engaged  in  developing  the 
sorghum  sugar  manufacturing  interests.  We  give  the  suc- 
cessful results  reached  in  the  very  able  paper  given  below : 

THE    SORGHUM    SUGAR    INDUSTRY. 
BY  PROP.  H.  A.  WEBER,  PH.  D. 

Through  the  results  obtained  in  the  manufacture  of 
sugar  on  a  commercial  scale  in  the  sugar  works  at  Cham- 
paign, 111.,  and  Rio  Grande,  N.  J.,  in  the  season  of  1882,  a 
new  impetus  has  been  given  to  the  sorghum  industry. 
The  production  of  good,  marketable  sugar  by  the  process 
employed  at  the  Champaign  sugar  works  is  no  longer  a 
matter  of  experiment,  but  an  assured  success.  The  high 
degree  of  interest  with  which  the  press  and  the  public  in 
general  followed  the  development  of  these  results,  is  the 
best  proof  of  the  great  importance  which  is  universally 
attached  to  this  new  industry.  Sugar  has  long  ceased  to  be 
regarded  as  a  luxury,  but  is  everywhere  considered  as  one 
of  the  most  necessary  and  indispensable  articles  of  food. 
For  the  supply  of  this  important  substance  the  American 
people  have  hitherto  been  almost  entirely  dependent  upon 
foreign  countries,  only  about  one-ninth  of  the  demand 


422  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

being  produced  at  home.  During  the  running  season  the 
works  at  Champaign  were  visited  by  persons  from  all  parts 
of  the  country,  as  well  as  by  representatives  of  foreign 
countries,  and  even  the  most  skeptical  minds,  on  observing 
the  quantity  and  quality  of  the  sugar  and  the  ease  and  cer- 
tainty with  which  it  was  manufactured,  were  convinced 
that  the  enterprise  was  practicable,  and  that  before  many 
years  the  United  States  would  produce  its  home  demand 
for  sugar  and  syrup.  Any  enterprise  by  which  this  desir- 
able end  can  be  reached  should  receive  the  hearty  support 
of  all  that  are  interested  in  public  welfare.  From  the 
results  already  obtained,  coupled  with  the  proverbial  enter- 
prise of  the  American  people,  it  may  be  safely  claimed  that 
at  no  distant  day  the  production  of  sugar  from  sorghum  or 
northern  cane  will  be  one  of  the  leading  industries  of  the 
land,  bestowing  its  wide-spread  benefits  upon  the  farmer, 
the  laborer,  the  manufacturer  and  the  public  in  general. 

The  establishment  of  the  sugar  factory  at  Champaign 
was  the  result  of  the  experiments  with  sorghum  cane  made 
by  Professors  Weber  and  Scovell  in  the  seasons  of  1880 
and  1881.  The  object  of  these  investigations  was  to  de- 
termine whether  or  not  the  production  of  sugar  from 
sorghum  was  feasible  in  the  great  corn  belt  of  the  north- 
west, in  which  Champaign,  where  the  experiments  were 
made,  is  located.;,.  Up  to  this  time  the  production  of  sugar 
from  sorghum  was  an  open  question.  In  France  the  sub- 
ject had  been  investigated  many  years  before,  and  was 
dropped  in  favor  of  the  sugar  beet.  In  our  own  country 
scientists  as  well  as  practical  manufacturers  of  sorghum 
syrup  were  arrayed  upon  two  sides.  One  class  ignored 
entirely  the  idea  of  making  sugar  profitably,  while  the 
other  claimed  that  it  was  feasible.  The  advocates  of  sugar 
production,  however,  had  the  great  disadvantage  in  the 
controversy  of  not  being  able  to  uphold  their  theory  by 
well-established  facts  and  results.  So  also  the  opinions 
were  divided  on  almost  every  important  point  in  the  treat- 
ment of  the  cane  and  juice.  From  the  many  conflicting 
reports  in  regard  to  the  whole  subject  and  its  minor  details 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES.  423 

no  definite  conclusions  could  be  drawn,  and  it  was  found 
necessary,  in  order  to  prosecute  the  work  in  an  intelligent 
manner,  to  treat  it  as  an  entirely  new  field  of  investigation. 

The  work  of  Professors  Weber  and  Scovell  occupied 
two  distinct  fields :  first,  scientific  researches  in  which  the 
'nature  of  sorghum  cane  was  studied,  and  second,  practical 
experiments  in  making  sugar.  The  results  of  their  labor- 
ious investigations  have  been  given  to  the  public  in  full 
and  need  not  be  referred  to  here  in  detail. 

From  their  reports  the  following  conclusions  may  be 
drawn  with  reference  to  the  manufacture  of  cry stalizable 
sugar : 

1.  Seed    should    be    planted     as    early    as    possible. 
Wherever   late  maturing   varieties  ripen  about  one-half  of 
the  land  should  be  planted  with  early  amber,  and  the  other 
half  with   one   or  all  of   the  following  late  varieties,   the 
preference  being  in  the  order  given  :    Link's  Hybrid,  Early 
Orange,    Siberian.     Kansas    Orange   is   also    a   good   late 
variety  for  making  sugar,  but  is  very  liable  to  fall  flat  in  a 
storm,  and  hence  cannot  be  recommended  for  general  plant- 
ing. 

2.  Sorghum  requires  hot  summer  weather   for  rapid 
and  complete   development,  and  whenever   extremely  hot 
summers  prevail,   as  in  the   great  corn-belt  of  the  north- 
west, the  development  of  the  cane  holds  £.ace  with  the  for- 
mation of  the  seed,   and   the  maximum  quantity  of  cane 
sugar  is  reached  when  the  seed  is  in  the  hardening  dough. 
After  this  stage  is  reached  the  quantity  of  cane  sugar  slowly 
diminishes.     Hence  under  these  conditions  the  proper  time 
to   begin  harvesting  is  when  the  seed  is  in  the  hardening 
dough.     In  seasons  like  that   of  1882  with   its    unprece- 
dented low  summer  temperature,  and  in  such  portions  of 
the  country  where  the  aVerage  suntmer  temperature  is  con- 
siderably lower  than  in  this  section,  the  amount  of  ^  me 
sugar   may  increase   for  two  or  three  weeks  after  the-  har- 
dening dough  stage  is  reached.     In  these  cases,  the  proper 
time  for  harvesting  the  crop  should  be  determined  by  peri- 
odic analyses  of  the  cane. 


424  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

3.  After  the  cane  is  cut  the  cane  sugar  or  crystalizable 
sugar  is  gradually  changed   into  invert  or  uncrystalizable 
sugar,  and  in  the  course   of  time  no  trace  of  crystalizable 
sugar  remains  in  the  stalks.     For  this  reason  it  is  evident 
that  the  cane  should  be  crushed   as  fast  as  it  is  cut.     Cane 
which  is  cut  in  the  evening  or  afternoon  may  be  kept  until 
the  next  morning  without  any  serious  loss  in  sugar. 

4.  If  possible  the  leaves  should  be  removed  from  the 
cane,  as  they  tend  to   lessen  the  amount  of  sugar,  and  in- 
crease  the    amount   of  impurity    in    the  juice,  but  if  the 
necessary  labor  for  stripping  by  hand  can  not  be  obtained, 
the  cane  may  be  crushed  with  the  leaves  on.     In  no  case, 
however,  should    the   stripping   be  done  far  in  advance  of 
the  cutting.     All  cane  should  be  cut  on  the  same  day  on 
which  it  is  stripped,  especially  if  it  is  not  thoroughly  ripe. 
An  example  will  explain  the  reason  of  this  precaution.     A 
plot  of  cane   was  analyzed   when   it  was  in  the  hardening 
dough,  a  portion  of  which  had  been  stripped  a  week  before. 
The  specific  gravity  of  the  juice  of  the   unstripped   cane 
was  1.058,  while  that  of  the  stripped  cane  was  1.037.     The 
percentage  of  cane  sugar  in  the  former  was  8.31,  while  in 
the  latter  it  was  only  4.11.     A  week  later  another  analysis 
of  stripped  cane  was  made,  which  revealed  almost  the  en- 
tire  absence    of    cane    sugar,    and    a   still    lower   specific 
gravity. 

5.  Topping   the   cane  soon   after  the  heads  begin  to 
appear,  and  before  the  seeds  show   any   sign  of  becoming 
milky,  not  only  hastens  the  maturity  of  the  cane,  but  in- 
creases the  specific  gravity  of  the  juice  and  the  percentage 
of  cane  sugar.  Sorghum  seed  contains  over  sixty-three  per 
cent,  of  starch,  and  it  was  supposed  that  by  topping  the  cane 
at  the  proper  time  the  material  which  was  to  produce  this 
starch  might  be  retained  in  the  stalks  in  the  form  of  sugar. 
The  truth  of  this  theory  was  strikingly  shown  by  actual 
experiment. 

6.  Sprouting  the  seed  before  planting  does  not  hasten 
the  maturity  of  the  same.   Six  experiments  were  made  in  the 
season  of  1882  at  various  times  and  with  different  varieties 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES.  425 

of  seed,  in  order  to  test  this  question,  but  in  no  case  could 
the  slightest  advantage  be  noticed  from  sprouting  the  seed. 

7.  The  percentage  of  sugar  in  the  juice  from  the  lower 
half  of  the  cane  is   about  two  per  cent,  higher  than  in  that 
obtained  from  the  upper  half,  but  the  upper  part  should  not 
be  discarded  as  unfit  for  making   sugar.     Not  more  than 
twelve  to  eighteen  inches  of  the  top  should  be  removed. 

8.  In  order  to  study  the  effects  of  different  varieties  of 
soil  upon  the  quality  of  the  cane,  a  large  number  of  analyses 
were    made  of  fields  of  cane  grown    upon   virgin  prairie, 
prairie    which    had    been    under   cultivation,    timber   land 
and  Mississippi  sand  land.    The  average  results  did  not  show 
any    greater   discrepancies   than   might  have  been  due  to 
locality    and    mode    of   planting    and     cultivation,    hence 
sorghum   can  be  grown  successfully  upon  all  the  varieties 
of  soil  specified.     The   co-efficient   of  purity    was    by   far 
greater  in  the  juice  from  the  sand   land   than   from  any  of 
the  other  varieties  of  soil. 

9.  Fresh    barn-yard    manure    has   a    very   deleterious 
effect  upon  the  quality  of  sorghum  cane.     When   liberally 
supplied  it  not  only  diminishes  the  percentage  of  sugar,  but 
increases  the  amount  of  foreign  matter  (salts  and  albumi- 
noids) to  such  an  extent  as  to  make  a  good  defecation  of  the 
juice  impossible,  and  to  render  the  sugar  and  molasses  when 
made  unfit  for  use. 

10.  The  application  of  superphosphate  was  found  highly 
beneficial.     Not  only   did   the  plat   on   which  it  was  used 
mature    about    sixteen    days    earlier   than    one  which  was 
planted  at  the  same  time  and  the  same  seed  for  comparison, 
but  the  percentage  of  sugar  was  greatly  increased.     In  a 
very  few   days    after  the   seed  was  up  this  plat   gave  evi- 
dence of  a  most  vigorous  or  rapid  growth.    The  stalks  were 
strong  and  firm,   and  the   leaves   broad  and  thrifty.     This 
plat  would  have  borne  horse   cultivation  before  the   weeds 
would   have   gotten   a  start,  and  before  the  plat  planted  at 
the  same   time  without  the  fertilizer  would  have  permitted. 


426  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 


EXPERIMENT    IN    SUGAR    MAKING — 1880. 

The  object  of  these  investigations  was  to  determine 
whether  any  method  of  the  manufacture  of  the  juice  into 
syrup  could  be  found  which  would  insure  the  subsequent 
crystalization  of  the  sugar.  With  this  end  in  view,  and  in 
order  to  have  as  many  data  as  possible  for  subsequent  ex- 
perimentation another  year,  a  large  variety  of  methods 
were  employed,  without  waiting  for  the  final  result  of  each, 
and  without  any  reference  to  their  practicability  of  being 
used  on  a  large  scale.  The  apparatus  employed  was  a  two- 
horse  Victor  mill,  with  three  upright  rollers,  a  Cook's  evap- 
orator, a  small  Hedge's  centrifugal,  scales,  tubs,  pails,  &c. 

1.  Experiment  with  Early  Amber,  September  18. — The 
cane  was  quite  ripe.     Before  crushing  it  was  stripped  and 
topped,  and  yielded  48  per  cent,  of  juice,  having  a  specific 
gravity  of  1.066.     The  juice  was  evaporated  without  the 
addition  of  lime  or  other  neutralizing  agent  and  thoroughly 
skimmed,  the  syrup  when  cold  weighing  eleven  pounds  to 
the  gallon.     No  crystalization  of  sugar  occurred. 

2.  Experiment  with  Early  Amber,  September  20. —  In 
this  experiment  milk  of  lime  was  added  to  the  juice  in  the 
cold  as  soon  as  it  came  from  the  mill,  the  addition  being 
made  gradually  and  with  constant  stirring  until  a  piece  of 
of  reddened  litmus  paper  was  changed  to  purple  when  held 
in  the  juice.     Then  a  solution   of   tannin   and   finally  an 
equivalent  amount  of  gelatine  was  added.     The  liquor  was 
then  boiled,  thoroughly  skimmed  and  concentrated  to  syrup. 
It  being  difficult  to  control  the  heat   with  the    evaporator 
employed,  the  syrup  was  scorched  and  tasted  like  extract  of 
licorice.     The  syrup  crystalized  readily. 

3.  Experiment  with  Early  Amber,  September  21. —  As 
in  experiment  No.  1,  the  juice  was  evaporated  in  its  natural 
state  to  a  syrup,   which,  upon    evolving,    weighed    eleven 
pounds  to  the  gallon.     No  crystalization  of  the  sugar  took 
place.     This  syrup  was  afterwards  concentrated  farther,  but 
still  no  crystalized  sugar  separated.     Failing  to  make  the 
sugar  crystalize  this  syrup  was  subjected  to  an  analysis,  and 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES.  427 


it  was  found  that  the  ratio  of  grape  sugar  to  caue  sugar  was 
as  1  to  2.2,  while  in  the  juice  from  which  the  syrup  was 
made  the  ratio  of  grape  to  cane  sugar  was  as  1  to  4.  This 
proves  that  a  large  portion  of  the  cane  sugar  was  changed 
to  uncrystalizable  sugar  during  the  process  of  evaporation, 
which  accounts  for  the  failure  of  the  sugar  to  crystalize. 

4.  Experiment  with   Early  Amber,   September   22. — 
The  juice  was  rendered  alkaline  with  milk  of  lime  and  then 
neutralized  with   aluminum   sulphate.     On   evaporation  of 
the  liquor  to  a  syrup,  which  weighed  11  to  11J  to  the  gal- 
lon, a  good  crystalization  of  sugar  ensued. 

5.  Experiment    with    Orange,    September    23.  —  The 
juice  was  neutralized  with  milk  of  lime,  tannin  and  gelatine 
added,  and  evaporated  to  a  syrup  weighing  twelve  pounds  to 
the  gallon.     The  color  of  the  syrup  was  very  dark.     In  a 
day  or  two  the  sugar  began  to  crystalize,  and  a  melado  was 
obtained  which  yielded  49.1  per  cent,  by  weight  of  brown 
sugar.     The  sugar  was  separated  by  the  centrifugal  machine. 

The  products  of  this  experiment,  calculated  for  one  acre 
of  cane,  were  as  follows  : 

Gallons  of  juice 754 

Gallons  of  syrup 120.6 

Pounds  of  sugar 710.6 

6.  Experiment  with  Orange,  September  24.  —  The  juice 
was   neutralized   with   milk  of  lime,    tannin,   gelatine  and 
aluminum  sulphate  added,  and  then  evaporated  to  a  syrup 
of  eleven   pounds  to  the   gallon.     The  color  of  the  syrup 
was  very  light,  and  the  sugar  began  to  crystalize  in  two 
days  after  the  syrup  was  made. 

7.  Experiment  with  Orange,  September  27.  —  In  this 
experiment  the  juice  was  merely  neutralized  with  lime  and 
evaporated  to  a  syrup  weighing  eleven  to  twelve  pounds 
per  gallon.     The  syrup  obtained  was  of  a  dark  color,  but  it 
began    to    granulate  in   a  few  days  forming  a  very  heavy 
melado. 

8.  Experiment  with  Orange,  September  27.  —  The  juice 
was  treated  with   milk  of  lime,  and  then  sulphurous   acid 


428  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

was  used  to  neutralize  any  lime  remaining  uncombined  in 
the  juice.  On  evaporating  to  a  heavy  syrup  the  sugar 
began  to  crystalize  while  the  syrup  was  cooling. 

9.  Experiment  with    Orange,  October    1. — The  juice 
was  treated  with  milk  of  lime  and  aluminum  sulphate  and 
evaporated  to  a  heavy  syrup.     Granulation  ensued  in  three 
days  after  the  syrup  was  made. 

10.  Experiment   with  Orange,  October  1. —  As  in  ex 
periment  No.  3,  with  early  Amber,  here  also  the  juice  was 
evaporated    in    the    usual    manner  employed   for    making 
sorghum  syrup  without  the  addition  of  lime  or  Bother  neut- 
tralizing    agents.     After  allowing   the  syrup  to  stand  five 
weeks,  only  a  few  crystals  of  sugar  were  formed.     An  anal- 
ysis of  the  syrup  was  then  made,  and  the  percentage  of  cane 
sugar  was  found  to  be  38.90,  while  that  of  the  grape  sugar 
was  26.91  per  cent.     Here,  again,  an  undue  proportion  of 
cane    sugar  was   found  to  be  invested,  which  explains  why 
no    granulation    took  place.      This  same    experiment    was 
repeated  later  in  the  fall  after  the  cane  had  been  ripe  for  a 
long  time,  and  a  like  result  was  obtained. 

11.  A  part  of  the  Early  Amber  was  saved  for  a  final 
experiment  at  the  close   of  the  season  when  the  juice  had 
become    quite  acid.     It  was  neutralized  with  milk  of  lime, 
and  then  treated  with  sulphate  of  aluminum.     The  syrup 
obtained  was  very  dark,  but  a  very   good   granulation  was 
obtained. 

EXPERIMENTS    IN    SUGAR    MAKING    IN    1881. 

The  object  of  the  experiments  in  1880  to  determine  a 
reliable  method  for  producing  granulation  in  sorghum 
syrup  was  more  readily  attained  than  was  expected.  By 
careful  examination  of  the  experiments  as  described,  it  will 
be  seen  that  wherever  the  juice  was  neutralized  with  milk 
of  lime,  whether  other  re-agents  were  used  or  not,  granulation 
ensued,  providing  a  melado  or  mush  sugar  which  yielded 
in  some  cases  nearly  fifty  per  cent,  of  dry  sugar,  but  when 
the  juice  was  evaporated  in  its  natural  condition  without 
neutralization,  little  or  no  crystalization  of  sugar  occurred. 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES.  429 

\ 

The  cause  of  this  failure  to  granulate  was  shown  to  be  due 
to  the  fact  that  in  the  latter  case  the  cane  sugar  was  largely 
converted  into  grape  or  uncrystalizable  sugar.  In  those 
experiments  in  which  other  re-agents,  as  tannin,  gelatine, 
sulphurous  acid  and  aluminum  sulphate  were  employed  in 
connection  with  milk  of  lime,  the  results  did  not  show  any 
marked  advantage  over  those  in  which  lime  was  used  alone, 
except  where  sulphurous  acid  or  aluminum  sulphate  was 
added  to  counteract  the  evil  effects  of  an  excess  of  lime,  the 
syrup  and  sugar  obtained  were  of  a  lighter  color,  all  of  the 
melado  was  tough  and  gummy,  and  the  sugar  could  be  sep- 
arated in  the  centrifugal  machine  only  with  great  difficulty. 
Besides,  the  sugar  in  all  the  experiments  when  purged,  was 
of  a  gummy  nature  and  had  the  characteristic  sorghum 
taste  and  odor. 

One  important  point,  however,  was  established  by  those 
experiments,  namely,  that  the  granulation  of  the  syrup 
could  not  be  relied  upon  unless  the  juice  was  neutralized 
before  evaporation,  and  that  when  properly  neutralized 
and  defecated,  the  production  of  a  melado  rich  enough  in 
sugar  to  yield  710  pounds  of  dry  sugar  to  the  acre  of  ordi- 
nary cane  was  ensured. 

This  result,  in  connection  with  the  information  imparted 
by  the  scientific  investigations  made,  practically  solved  the 
problem  of  manufacturing  sugar  from  sorghum.  There  was 
now  nothing  left  to  do  but  to  make  an  improvement  in  the 
process  of  manufacturing  the  sugar  by  which  the  foreign 
matter  in  the  juice,  which  is  not  eliminated  by  the  ordinary 
method  of  defecation,  should  be  removed,  this  improve- 
ment in  the  art  of  making  sugar  from  sorghum  was  found  in 
use  of  bone-black  or  its  equivalent  for  the  purification  the 
of  the  juice.  This  subject  will  be  referred  to  further  on, 
when  discussing  the  process  of  making  sugar  on  a  large 
scale. 

Of  the  experiments  in  making  sugar  in  1881,  only  one 
need  be  cited  here.  In  the  year  before  an  approximate 
analysis  of  cane  was  made,  which  revealed  the  fact  that 
only  a  little  more  than  one-third  of  the  sugar  actually 


430 

present  in  the  cane  was  obtained  in  the  form  of  dry  sugar. 
The  remainder  was  either  lost  in  the  bagasse,  or  was  con- 
tained in  the  molasses  drained  from  sugar.  To  recover  a 
portion  at  least  of  this  great  waste  of  sugar  was  one  of  the 
objects  of  these  further  experiments. 

Experiment  with  Early  Amber. — The  cane  selected  for 
this  experiment  was  grown  upon  virgin  prairie,  and  the 
juice  had  the  following  composition: 

Specific  gravity 1.072 

Cane  sugar,  per  cent 13.66 

Grape  sugar,  per  cent 3.00 

The  cane  was  stripped  and  topped  before  crushing. 
The  juice  obtained  was  carefully  neutralized  with  milk  of 
lime  in  the  cold,  then  heated  to  the  boiling  point  and 
skimmed.  The  liquor  was  then  evaporated  to  about  one- 
half  of  its  original  volume,  while  any  scum  that  arose  was 
removed.  It  was  next  filtered  through  bone  coal  and  then 
evaporated  to  crystalization.  In  order  to  recover  the 
sugar  left  in  the  bagasse,  this  was  packed  into  large  barrels 
as  it  came  from  the  mill  and  completely  exhausted  with 
water.  The  percolate  thus  obtained  was  treated  like  juice. 
The  sugar  began  to  crystalize  while  the  syrup  cooled. 
Two  days  afterwards  it  was  separated  from  the  molasses 
with  the  centrifugal  machine.  The  results  of  this  experi- 
ment are  here  given  in  detail : 

CALCULATIONS  FOR  ONE  ACRE. 

Pounds  of  stripped  cane  with  tops 18,535.3 

Pounds  of  stripped  cane  without  tops 15,765.9 

Pounds  of  juice  obtained 6,545.6 

Per  cent,  of  juice  of  stripped  and  topped  cane      41.5 

Pounds  of  melado  from  juice 1,298.7 

Pounds  of  melado  from  bagasse 253.9 

Total  weight  of  melado 1,552.6 

Pounds  of  sugar  from  juice 504.0 

Pounds  of  sugar  from  bagasse 104.7 

Total  weight  of  sugar 608.7 

Pounds  of  molasses  from  juice 794.7 

Pounds  of  molasses  from  bagasse .      149.2 

Total  weight  of  molasses 943.9 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES.  431 


CALCULATIONS    FOE.  ONE  TON  OF  STRIPPED   AND    TOPPED  CANE. 

Pounds  of  juice 830.4 

Pounds  of  sugar • 77.2 

Pounds  of  molasses 119.7 

The  sugar  and  molasses  obtained  were  of  good  quality 
and  entirely  free  from  any  unpleasant  taste  or  odor.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  all  of  the  products  obtained  from  the 
various  experiments  made  in  the  manner  described  above, 
with  the  single  exception  of  that  in  which  the  cane  was 
grown  upon  an  abandoned  barn-yard,  containing  •  large 
•quantities  of  fresh  manure.  The  quality  of  the  sugar 
especially  created  an  unusual  degree  of  interest  wherever 
it  was  shown,  many  persons  doubting  that  it  was  made 
from  sorghum. 

The  next  thing  to  be  considered  more  in  detail  is  the 
nature  of  sorghum  juice  and  the  method  for  making  sugar 
employed  in  the  experiments  just  described  and  shown  in 
the  season  of  1882,  to  be  perfectly  adapted  to  the  manu- 
facture of  sugar  on  a  large  scale. 

PROCESS   OF    MANUFACTURING  SUGAR. 

Sorghum  juice  in  its  normal  condition  has  an  acid 
reaction  and  contains,  according  to  the  varieties  of  the 
plant  and  to  different  conditions  of  climate,  cultivation, 
etc.,  from  8  to  14  per  cent,  of  cane  sugar,  from  2  to  5  per 
cent,  of  glucose  or  grape  sugar,  and  from  1J  to  3  per  cent, 
of  foreign  matter,  consisting  of  nitrogenous  substances 
(albuminoid),  gum,  vegetable  acids,  mineral  salts,  chloro- 
phyl  and  starch,  the  last  two  ingredients  being  held  in 
suspension. 

When  this  juice  in  its  natural  state  is  heated  and  evap- 
orated, as  done  in  the  ordinary  way  of  making  syrup,  the 
following  changes  take  place :  As  the  temperature  rises  to 
the  boiling  point  a  portion  of  the  nitrogenous  matter  co- 
agulates, carrying  with  it  all  of  the  bodies  held  in  suspen- 
sion excepting  the  starch.  This  substance  is  contained  in 
the  juice  in  the  form  of  minute  white  grains,  many  times 


432  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

smaller  than  the  starch  grains  contained  in  sorghum  seed. 
When  the  temperature  of  the  liquid  rises  to  60  degrees 
centigrade,  these  grains  swell  an<J  burst,  forming  what  is 
known  as  starch  paste.  On  continued  boiling  this  starch 
paste  becomes  soluble  and  remains  in  the  syrup  in  the  form 
of  the  worst  kind  of  gummy  matter.  The  greater  part  of 
the  nitrogenous  matter,  as  well  as  the  gum,  mineral  salts 
and  vegetable  acids  also  remain.  Even  if  no  other  change 
had  taken  place  it  would  be  impossible  under  these  condi- 
tions to  make  the  production  of  sugar  a  success,  as  the 
melado  obtained  would  be  unmanageable  and  the  sugar  and 
molasses,  if  separated,  would  be  unmarketable.  But  in 
addition  to  these  difficulties  comes  the  fact  that  the  cane  and 
grape  sugar  are  no  longer  iu  the  same  proportion  in  which 
they  originally  existed  in  the  juice.  It  is  well  known  to 
chemists  that  a  solution  of  cane  sugar  acidulated  with  a 
mineral  acid,  as  hydrochloric  or  sulphuric,  is  rapidly 
changed  into  inverted  or  grape  sugar  on  the  application  of 
heat.  The  vegetable  acids  always  present,  even  in  fresh 
sorghum  juice,  act  in  a  similar  manner,  the  amount  of  inver- 
sion which  they  produce  depending  upon  the  acidity  of  the 
juice  and  the  length  of  time  employed  in  defecating  and 
evaporating.  These  considerations  lead  to  the  first  and 
most  essential  step  in  the  treatment  of  sorghum  juice  for 
the  production  of  sugar,  namely  the  neutralization  of  the 
acids.  A  great  many  chemicals  could  be  employed  for  this 
purpose,  but  milk  of  lime  is  the  best  and  at,  the  same  time 
the  cheapest.  As  the  acidity  of  the  juice  varies  in  differ- 
ent kinds  of  sorghum  and  at  different  times  in  the  same 
variety,  no  definite  proportion  of  juice  and  lime  can  be  es- 
tablished. The  point  of  neutralization  must  be  found  by 
trial  with  the  aid  of  litmus  paper.  This  part  of  the  pro- 
cess requires  skill  and  care.  That  the  acids  should  be  neu- 
tralized has  already  been  shown.  On  the  other  hand  an 
undue  excess  of  lime  prevents  thorough  defecation  by  elimi- 
nating caustic  alkalies,  which  dissolve  up  a  portion  of  the 
coagulated  albuminoids,  and  also  cause  too  great  a  discolora- 
tion of  the  syrup.  The  best  results  are  obtained  when  the 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES.  433 

juice  is  rendered  as  nearly  neutral  as  possible.  When  thus 
neutralized  no  appreciable  loss  of  cane  occurs  upon  subse- 
quent defecation  and  evaporation.  If,  however,  the  juice 
were  evaporated  to  crystalization  without  further  purifica- 
tion, the  other  difficulties  mentioned  above  would  still  ob- 
tain, excepting,  that  by  the  use  of  lime,  a  greater  propor- 
tion of  the  nitrogenous  matter  would  be  precipitated  in  the 
process  of  defecation. 

The  liquor,  after  defecation  therefore,  contains  cane 
sugar,  grape  sugar,  nitrogenous  matter,  gum,  soluble  starch 
and  mineral  salts.  Upon  the  crystalization  of  the  cane 
sugar,  as  well  as  its  separation  from  the  molasses,  the  other 
constituents  have  an  injurious  effect,  and  they  exhibit  this- 
effect  in  the  following  order  :  First,  nitrogenous  matter; 
second,  gum  and  soluble  starch;  third,  grape  sugar  and 
mineral  salts.  For  further  purification  the  liquor,  after 
being  concentrated  to  a  density  of  20  to  30  degrees  Beaume, 
is  filtered  through  bone-black.  The  nitrogenous  matter, 
gum  and  soluble  starch,  which  are  by  far  the  most  injurious, 
belong  to  a  class  of  bodies  known  as  colloids.  These  sub- 
stances are  tenaciously  retained  by  bone-black  when  their 
solutions  came  in  contact  with  it.  The  mineral  salts  are 
also  to  a  great  extent  removed  by  filtration  through  bone- 
black.  When  thus  filtered  the  liquor  no  longer  presents 
any  obstacle  for  the  production  of  the  very  best  marketable 
sugar  in  paying  quantities  and  on  a  large  scale.  During 
the  season  of  1882  twenty-six  strikes  of  melado  were 
made  in  the  vacuum  pan,  and  in  every  case  the  granulation 
was  effected  in  the  pan  itself.  The  crystals  were  started 
with  part  of  a  charge  and  built  up  as  is  done  in  sugar 
houses.  The  melado,  as  it  leaves  the  vacuum  pan,  should 
either  be  purged  by  means  of  centrifugals  as  soon  as  it  has 
cooled  down  to  about  100  degrees  Fahrenheit,  or  should  be 
put  into  crystalizing  wagons  and  kept  in  a  room  where 
temperature  should  be  maintained  at  about  the  same  point. 


434  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

THE  SEED   PRODUCT. 

Sorghum  has  one  great  advantage  over  all  other  sugar 
producing  plants  in  that  it  yields  an  abundant  crop  of  ripe 
grain.  As  soon  as  the  results  in  the  production  of  sugar, 
as  described,  warranted  the  conclusion  that  the  establish- 
ment of  an  immense  industry  based  upon  the  cultivation  of 
sorghum  was  feasible,  the  question  of  the  best  use  to  be 
made  of  the  seed  became  an  important  one. 

According  to  the  analysis  of  Professors  Weber  and 
Scovell,  sorghum  seed  has  the  following  composition  in  100 
parts  : 

Starch '. 63.09 

Su.ffar 0.56 

Fiber .6.35 

Albuminoid 7.35 

Oil 3.08 

Tannin 5.42 

Ash 0.64 

Water  .  .12.51 


Total 99.00 

Although  in  its  general  composition  sorghum  seed 
resembles  corn  or  other  grain,  as  the  analysis  shows,  yet  it 
is  a  question  whether  the  large  amount  of  tannin  contained 
in  it  would  not  prevent  its  liberal  use  as  a  food  for  animals. 
There  is  one  use,  however,  to  which  the  seed  is  eminently 
adapted,  on  account  of  the  large  percentage  of  starch  and 
the  comparatively  small  amount  of  albuminoids  which  it 
contains,  namely,  the  manufacture  of  glucose.  A  number 
of  experiments  in  this  connection  were  tried,  and  it  was 
found  that  glucose  could  be  made  directly  from  the  seed, 
without  the  tedious  and  expensive  process  of  producing 
starch  first.  In  this  manner  the  -manufacture  of  glucose 
from  the  seed  can  be  carried  on  in  the  same  works  and 
with  the  same  machinery  used  in  making  sugar  and 
molasses  from  the  stalks,  after  the  season  for  crushing  the 
cane  is  over,  thus  giving  employment  to  the  works  for 
nearly  the  whole  year,  and  putting  the  sorghum  sugar 
industry  on  a  firmer  basis.  An  average  field  of  sorghum 


ONE  OF  ILLINOIS'  GREAT  INDUSTRIES.  435 

will  yield  about  twenty  bushels  of  seed  per  acre,  and  the 
results  of  trials  in  making  glucose  show  that  four  gallons 
per  bushel  can  readily  be  obtained. 

MANUFACTURE  OF  SUGAR  IN  1882. 

In  the  fall  of  1881  Professor  Weber  received  an  invita- 
tion to  address  a  meeting  of  the  Champaign  Citizens'  Asso- 
ciation, and  lay  before  them  the  results  of  the  investiga- 
tions which  he  and  his  colleague  had  been  making.  As  a 
result  of  this  meeting  a  number  of  enterprising  citizens  of 
Champaign  organized  the  Champaign  Sugar  Company,  in 
order  to  give  the  process  of  making  sugar  from  sorghum .  a 
trial  on  a  large  scale. 

In  the  following  spring  a  sugar  plant  was  erected  and 
land   rented   for  the  cultivation   of   cane.     The  season  of 
1882  was  the  most  unfavorable  one  known  for  the  raising 
of  cane.     The  unusual  amount  of   rainfall,  together  with 
the  low  summer  temperature, -prevented  the  proper  cultiva- 
tion of  the  crop  and  caused  the  cane  to  mature  slowly  and 
imperfectly.      The  average  of  a  large  number  of  analyses 
made  this  year  showed  a  percentage  of  cane  sugar  in  the 
juice  of  8.20,  as  against  12.08  the  year  before. 

Harvesting  the  cane  began  September  21,  and  was 
finished  on  November  17.  Owing  to  the  lateness  of  the 
season,  one  field  of  Orange  was  worked  up  before  it  was 
ripe,  and  another  field  was  cut  and  shocked.  The  former 
and  a  great  portion  of  the  latter  was  manufactured  into 
syrup  only. 

The  method  of  manufacture  was  as  follows: 

The  cane  was  unloaded  from  the  wagons  directly  on  a 
•cane  carrier  60  feet  in  length,  which  brought  it  to  the  first 
mill,  having  4-feet  rollers  24  inches  in  diameter.  The 
bagasse  from  this  mill  was  carried  by  an  inte-rvening  apron 
to  the  second  mill  of  the  same  dimensions.  In  passing 
from  the  first  to  the  second  mill  the  bagasse  was  saturated 
with  a  spray  of  hot  water,  by  which  means  a  great  saving 
of  sugar  was  accomplished.  The  juice  from  the  two  mills 
ran  into  a  common  tank,  from  which  it  was  pumped  into 


436  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  juice  tanks  at  the  top  of  the  main  building.  From 
these  tanks  the  juice  was  drawn  into  defecators  holding 
over  600  gallons  each,  where  it  was  carefully  neutralized 
with  lime,  heated  to  the  boiling  point,  and  skimmed.  After 
settling  for  half  an  hour  or  more,  the  liquor  was  drawn  off 
into  evaporators  made  of  copper,  and  concentrated  to  20  to 
30  degrees  Beaume.  The  heating  of  defecators  and  evapo- 
rators was  done  by  means  of  copper  coils.  From  the 
evaporator  the  semi-syrup  was  run  into  settling  tanks,  and 
any  sediment  allowed  to  subside.  It  was  next  passed 
through  the  bone-coul  filters.  These  were  four  in  number, 
12  feet  high  and  2  feet  in  diameter.  The  liquor  was  next 
drawn  into  a  vacuum  pan  and  evaporated  to  melado  or  mush 
sugar.  The  melado  was  drawn  off  into  crystalizing  wagons 
and  swung  out  as  soon  as  it  could  be  done  with  one  cen- 
trifugal machine. 

The  results  of  the  season's  .work  are  as  follows: 

No.  of  acres  of  cane  worked  up  ......  ......     244% 

No.  of  acres  worked  for  sugar  ..............      185 

]N  o.  of  acres  worked  for  sy  rup  only  .........       59. 

No.  of  tons  of  stripped  and  topped  cane  .....  2,282 

No.  of  tons  worked  for  sugar  ...............  1,724 

Average  number  of  tons  per  acre  ...........         9% 

No.  of  pounds  of  sugar  manufactured  ......  86,600 

No.  of  gallons  of  syrup  and  molasses  ......  25,650 

No.  of  pounds  of  sugar  per  acre  ............ 


This  statement  includes  all  kinds  of  cane  brought  to 
the  mill,  some  of  which  was  quite  poor.  It  also  embraces 
the  products  for  the  whole  season,  in  the  latter  part  of 
which,  on  account  of  the  cold  weather  and  not  having  a 
suitable  crystalizing  room,  a  large  amount  of  sugar  was 
lost,  since  the  melado  had  to  be  mixed  with  hot  water  in 
order  to  make  it  of  a  proper  consistency  to  be  run  into  the 
centrifugal  machine. 

The  best  results  were  obtained  from  a  field  of  Orange 
cane  of  12  J  acres. 


437 

The  products  of  this  field  were  as  follows: 

No.  of  tons  stripped  and  topped  cane 151 

No.  of  pounds  of  sugar  made 9,600 

No.  of  gallons  of  molasses 1,450 

No.  of  pounds  of  sugar  per  acre 768 

No.  of  gallons  of  molasses  per  acre 116 

The  average  quality  of  sugar  was  that  of  extra  yellow 
O.  It  polarized  about  98  per  cent,  of  cane  sugar,  sold  at 
the  works  by  the  barrel  at  8  to  8J  cents  per  pound,  and  re- 
tailed at  the  groceries  side  by  side  with  New  Orleans  sugar 
of  the  same  grade,  bringing  the  same  prices. 


HON.  GEORGE  H.  HARLOW.    • 

EX-SECRETARY  OF  STATE. 

Few  young  men  of  twenty  to  twenty-five  years  ago 
entered  with  more  head,  heart  and  soul,  into  whatever  they 
found  to  do,  whether  his  own  private  business  or  of  state 
or  national  concern,  than  the  man  we  now  present,  whose 
name  has  been  so  identified  with  public  affairs  that  it  i& 
almost  a  household  word. 

George  H.  Harlow  was  born  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  New 
York,  Sept.  5,  1830,  the  eldest  son  of  David  and  Mercy 
Harlow.  Received  his  education  in  the  village  schools,  and 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  commenced  to  learn  the  builder's 
trade,  preparatory  to  advancing  to  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  architecture,  which  study  he  finished  under  O.  L. 
Wheelock,  the  well  known  architect,  then  of  Watertown, 
New  Yo'rk,  but  for  many  years  past,  of  Chicago.  Young 
Harlow  came  to  Illinois  in  March,  1854;  settled  at  Pekin, 
Tazewell  county,  intending  to  follow  his  profession  as  an 
architect  and  builder,  but  after  one  year's  work  went  into 
the  mercantile  business,  and  followed  it  successfully  until 
1860,  when  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  of 
Tazewell  county.  He  was  always  an  active  worker  in  poli- 
tics; his  first  vote  was  given  for  Gen.  Winfield  S.  Scott  for 
president.  In  1856  he  voted  for  Fremont  and  Bissell, 
warmly  supporting  Lincoln  for  senator  in  1858,  and  for 
president  in  1860. 


HON.    GEORGE    H.    HARLOW.  439 

In  1860  he  was  nominated  and  elected  clerk  of  the 
circuit  court.  His  county  was  supposed  to  be  hopelessly 
democratic  at  that  time,  and  the  incumbent  of  the  clerk's 
office,  M.  C.  Young,  was  very  popular,  and  young  Harlow 
was  supposed  to  be  leading  a  forlorn  hope,  but  the  result 
proved  that  work  and  pluck  could  win,  and  Harlow  was 
elected  by  a  good  round  majority. 

The  war  coming  on,  he  took  an  active  part  in  aiding 
the  raising  of  volunteers.  In  1862  when  the  cause  of  the 
Union  was  apparently  the  most  gloomy  and  disheartening, 
and  traitors  and  treason  were  rampant  all  over  the  North, 
and  the  "Knights  of  the  Golden  Circle"  and  "Sons  of 
Liberty"  were  active  in  sowing  the  seeds  of  disloyalty  in 
the  North  and  border  states,  crippling  the  efforts  of  loyal 
men,  Harlow  and  a  few  other  loyal  men  of  Tazeweli  county, 
met  and  organized  the  first  Council  of  the  "  Union  League  of 
America,"  an  organization  that  was  destined  to,  and  did 
exert  a  powerful  influence  in  the  political  history  of  this 
country.  Harlow  was  elected  secretary  of  the  first  council, 
and  afterwards  the  secretary  of  the  state  council,  with  head- 
quarters at  Springfield.  From  this  the  order  spread  into 
every  loyal  state  and  territory,  and  was  the  means  of  giving 
aid,  support,  and  incalculable  benefit  to  the  army,  and 
through  its  influence  Lincoln  received  his  nomination  for 
re-election  in  1864. 

In  1864  Harlow  was  nominated  for  re-election,  but 
owing  to  the  large  number  of  soldiers  absent  in  the  field 
the  opposition  to  the  republicans  defeated  him.  In  1 -S65 
he  was  elected  assistant  secretary  of  the  state  senat  ,  but  in 
two  weeks  afterwards  was  appointed  by  Gov.  Oglesby  as 
his  private  secretary  and  assistant  inspector  general  of  Illi- 
nois, with  rank  as  colonel,  and  had  special  charge  of  Camp 


440  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Butler,  and  held  this  position  during  the  war.  In  1868 
he  was  a  candidate  for  secretary  of  state,  but  for  reasons 
that  were  deemed  politic  and  advisable  at  the  time,  the 
place  was  given  to  Edward  Rummel,  and  on  his  election 
Harlow  was  made  assistant  secretary  of  state,  which  position 
he  held  for  over  three  years.  In  1872  he  was  nominated 
and  elected  to  the  office  of  secretary  of  state,  his  term  being 
for  four  years,  and  in  1876  he  was  re-elected,  and  his  term 
of  office  expired  in  January,  1881,  having  held  the  office 
for  eight  years,  and  almost  a  continuous  succession  of 
official  positions  from  1860  until  1881. 

At  the  close  of  his  second  term  he  removed  to  Chicago, 
entered  into  the  commission  business,  and  became  an  active 
member  of  the  board  of  trade,  known  for  his  energy  in  trade 
and  efficiency  in  promoting  the  interest  of  those  commit- 
ting their  business  to  his  charge,  as  he  was  in  attending  to 
the  business  of  the  state  for  so  many  years. 


HON.  JOHN  PAGE. 


EARLY   PIONEER  OF  WOODFORD  COUNTY. 


From  1835  to  1855  no  man  probably  in  the  limits  of 
Woodford  county  made  a  deeper  impress  on  the  social, 
moral,  business  and  political  elevation  of  the  county  than 
John  Page,  whose  career  we  will  briefly  sketch. 

He  was  born  at  Gilmanton,  New  Hampshire,  October 
28,  1787,  and  came  of  an  old  and  numerously  connected 
family,  tracing  their  family  tree  away  back  in  the  sixteenth 
and  seventeenth  centuries,  among  the  best  Puritan  stock  of 
England.  Owing  to  their  religious  privileges  being 
abridged,  the  Pages  came  to  America  in  1630  with  Gov. 
Winthrop,  and  it  was  a  John  Page  that  came  at  that  time 
bringing  a  family  of  sons,  a"nd  some  were  born  to  him  after 
he  came.  He  settled  jn  Dedham,  Mass.  We  will  not 
trace  the  family  genealogy  by  name,  but  say  in  passing 
that  they  furnished  some  good  fighting  stock  in  the  revolu- 
tion and  in  the  war  of  1812,  in  Mexico,  and  the  war  of  the 
rebellion.  Of  this  family  John  Page,  a  grandson  of  the 
first-named,  settled  at  Gilmanton,  N.  H.,  about  1720,  one 
of  the  original  founders  of  the  town.  He  married  Mary 
Winslow,  and  to  them  were  born  a  goodly  number  of  sons 
and  daughters,  their  descendants  scattering  out  and  settling 
at  different  places  in  New  Hampshire.  We  find  one  of  the 
family  representing  New  Hampshire  in  the  United  States 


442  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

senate  from  1828  to  1834,  as  mentioned  in  "Benton's 
Thirty  Years  in  the  United  States  Senate." 

John  Page,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  married  Betsy 
Wilson,  April  15,  1811,  and  from  his  stern  integrity  and 
business  capacity,  became  a  man  of  note  in  his  county. 
He  was  justice  of  the  peace,  public  administrator,  surveyor, 
and  served  three  terms  in  the  legislature  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. 

He  came  to  Illinois  as  the  agent  of  a  newly  organized 
colony  "  to  spy  out  this  goodly  land,"  and  on  his  report 
that  it  was  "  fair  to  look  upon  "  the  colony  came  to  Wood- 
ford  county  in  1835,  purchasing  a  large  tract  of  land  in 
what  is  now  Metamora  township.  Mr.  Page  was  a  man 
noted  for  plainness  of  speech,  a  "  Quaker  in  whom  there 
was  no  guile."  He  early  attracted  attention  for  his  capacity 
to  transact  business,  "  a  man  of  affairs."  He  was  one  of 
"  Nature's  noblemen."  In  his  new  field  in  Illinois  he  was 
called  to  exercise  his  talents  as  a  surveyor,  settling  estates 
and  various  other  classes  of  business.  We  first  met  him 
when  we  were  in  attendance  as  a  delegate  to  a  whig  sen- 
atorial convention  at  Metamora  in  1844.  He  was  of  the 
opposite  politics,  but  attended  the  convention  as  a  spectator, 
and  seemed  to  be  much  interested.  The  contest  was  an 
animated  one.  It  was  Putnam,  Marshall,  Woodford  and 
two  or  three  delegates  from  Washington,  Tazewell  county, 
against  Tremont,  Pekin  and  the  balance  of  Tazewell 
county.  Several  ballotings  took  place  before  a  choice 
could  be  made,  but  finally  the  Putnam,  Marshall  and 
Woodford  interest  prevailed,  and  their  candidate,  Dr.  Robt. 
Boal,  then  of  Lacon,  was  nominated,  and  at  the  election 
afterwards  was  elected. 

The  sectional  interests  of  the  citizens  of  Metamora  were 


HON.    JOHN    PAGE.  44$ 


gratified  in  the  choice,  but  some  of  them,  through  political 
predilection,  opposed  it.  This  was  the  year  of  the  great 
floods  in  Illinois,  "  the  wet  year."  and  also  of  "Polk  and 
Dallas  "  and  "  Clay  and  Frelinghuysen."  The  country  was 
new,  the  streams  not  bridged,  and  "ye  delegates"  from  the 
north  end  of  the  district  became  water-bound,  the  raging 
Crow  Creek  laid  between  them  and  their  homes,  and  the 
rains  were  still  desending ;  but  good  friends  took  our  'dele- 
gation in  "out  of  the  wet,"  and  we  fared  sumptuously  until 
the  raging  streams  subsided,  and  had  an  opportunity  of  be- 
coming better  acquainted  with  "Uncle  Johnny  Page,"  the 
Quaker. 

As  the  years  advanced  the  people  did  too.  In  1848  he 
was  elected  to  the  legislature,  his  opponent  being  Jesse 
Lynch,  of  Putnam  county.  "Jess  "  was  a  talker,  a  regular 
political  "Boanerges,"  had  the  whole  political  exegesis  at  his 
tongue's  end,  could  talk  the  "  sights"  off"  Uncle  Johnny," 
and  entered  the  contest,  confident  of  succeeding.  He  chal- 
lenged Mr.  Page  to  canvass  the  district,  •  but  Mr.  Page 
chose  to  conduct  the  canvass  "  Quaker  fashion,"  in  a  more 
quiet  way,  "as  the  spirit  moved  him." 

On  one  occasion,  it  is  recorded,  when  they  met,  "  Jess  " 
thought  to  lay  the  old  Quaker  in  the  shade  by  his  much 
eloquence,  and  was  argumentative,  tantalizing,  using  invec- 
tive, every  style  of  oratory  in  turn.  When  he  closed 
"Uncle  Johnny"  rose,  and  looking  at  Lynch,  said:  "I 
am  a  candidate  for  the  legislature ;  perhaps  thee  is  running 
for  Congress  from  the  way  thee  branches  out." 

When  election  came  round  it  was  found  that  Lynch 
"  was  not  heard  for  his  much  speaking,"  the  people  decided 
that  Mr.  Page  "should  go"  by  a  large  majority.  Mr. 
Page  was  a  "  working  member."  It  is  not  recorded  that 


444  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

• 

he  made  many  speeches,  but  he  accomplished  more  than 
those  that  did.  He  voted  what  he  thought  was  right,  if  his 
was  the  only  vote  on  that  side.  His  sage  experience  was 
such  that  he  was  consulted  and  advised  with  by  both  par- 
ties. His  blunt  honesty  secured  for  him  the  friendship  of 
Abraham  Lincoln,  although  they  were  of  opposite  political 
faith. 

After  this  session  he  declined  any  further  official  posi- 
tions, as  the  infirmities  of  old  age  was  creeping  on  him,  and 
after  a  well-spent  and  useful  life  he  died  at  Metamora, 
October  1,  1855,  in  his  sixty-eighth  year.  Mrs.  Page  sur- 
vived him  some  seventeen  years.  She  died  December  16, 
1872. 

Jesse  Lynch,  the  fiery  and  impetuous  competitor  of  Mr. 
Page,  still  lives,  residing  at  Chenoa.  He  has  not  lost  a 
whit  of  his  youthful  fire  and  humor.  We  met  him  last 
September  at  the  Pioneers'  Barbacue  at  Mt.  Pulaski,  called 
him  up  to  the  stand,  he  was  introduced  to  the  large  audi- 
ence and  made  them  one  of  his  wittiest  and  humorous 
speeches,  abounding  in  pioneer  stories  that  roused  the 
echoes  of  the  shady  grove.  He  practices  law  but  never 
went  to  the  legislature. 

Mr.  Page's  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  all  born  at 
Gilmanton,  N.  II. ;  three  daughters,  seven  sons.  Of  this 
large  family,  two  sons,  John  W.  and  Adino,  are  engaged 
in  the  merchandising  and  banking  business  at  Mettamora. 
Another  son  is  engaged  in  business  at  Peoria,  and  his 
grandson,  Hon.  Samuel  S.  Page,  formerly  States  Attorney 
of  Woodford  County,  is  now  engaged  in  a  lucrative  law 
practice  at  Peoria  —  one  of  the  firm  of  Worthington  & 
Page. 


HON,    JOHN    PAGE.  445 


His  youugest  son,  Benjamin  E.,  was  a  member  of  the 
108th  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was 
killed  at  Fort  Spanish,  Mobile,  March  28th,  1865,  just  a 
few  days  before  the  fall  of  that  place  and  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  had  been  a  good  soldier,  passing  through  many  of 
the  most  severe  battles  of  the  war.  He  was  a  young  man 
of  much  strength  of  character,  good  sense  and  judgment 
—  qualities  inherited  from  his  father,  and  was  much  la- 
mented by  his  fellow  soldiers  and  by  all  who  knew  him  at 
home. 


ERIC  JOHNSON. 


Captain  Eric  Johnson  was  born  in  the  Province  of 
Westmanland,  Sweden,  July  15,  1838.  He  came  with  his 
parents  to  Henry  County  in  the  summer  of  1846,  when" 
eight  years  old.  His  childhood  and  youth  were  spent  at 
home  at  the  Bishop  Hill  Colony.  Two  winters7  attendance 
at  a  country  school  was  all  the  educational  advantages  en- 
joyed. 

Upon  the  division  or  individualization  of  the  colony  in 
1860,  the  eleven  acres  that  fell  to  his  lot  were  located  one 
mile  west  of  Galva,  and  in  the  spring  of  1861  he  moved  to 
Galva,  and,  renting  some  more  land,  he  commenced  life  on 
his  own  account  as  a  farmer.  But  his  country's  call  for 
volunteers  called  him  from  his  peaceful  avocation  of  farm- 
ing into  the  ranks  of  the  patriotic  volunteers  that  went  for 
the  defense  of  our  imperiled  country.  On  the  16th  of 
September  he  entered  as  a  private  in  Company  D,  57th 
Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry. 

At  the  subsequent  organization  of  the  company  at  Camp 
Bureau,  Princeton,  Illinois,  he  was  elected  first  lieutenant, 
and  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh  was  promoted  to  the  cap- 
taincy. Severe  sickness,  contracted  in  the  service,  com- 
pelled him  to  resign  before  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1864 
he  became  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Galva  Union.  In 
1865  he  retired  from  the  newspaper  business  and  was 


EKIC    JOHNSON.  447 


engaged  in  merchandising  until  the  summer  of  1868,  when 
he  became  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Altona,  Mirror,  at 
Altona,  Knox  county,  and  in  the  autumn  following  he 
again  became  proprietor  of  the  Union  at  Galva.  In  1871 
he  retired  from  the  newspaper  business. 

In  the  campaign  of  1870  he  was  unanimously  nominated 
for  representative  to  the  state  legislature.  However,  inter- 
preting too  conscientiously  the  provisions  in  the  new  con- 
stitution requiring  a  two  years7  residence  in  the  district,  he 
withdrew  his  name  from  the  ticket  on  his  own  motion. 
Several  members-elect  proved  to  be  barred  for  the  same 
reason,  but  their  seats  were  not  questioned,  because  it  was 
held  that  the  provision  in  the  constitution  could  not  affect 
the  first  legislature,  as  no  district  had  been  two  years  in 
existence. 

Upon  the  convening  of  the  legislature  in  1871  he  was 
elected  journal  clerk  of  the  house,  in  which  capacity  he 
served  during  the  regular,  called  and  adjourned  sessions  of 
1871  and  '72. 

In  1872,  having  always  been  a  great  admirer  of  Horace 
Greeley,  he  supported  him  for  president,  and  was  the  can- 
didate for  elector  in  his  district. 

In  1873  he  followed  Greeley's  advice  and  went  west, 
and  made  Kansas  his  home  for  two  years,  but  the  grass- 
hoppers and  drouth  convinced  him  that  Illinois  was  a  bad 
state  to  emigrate  from,  and  in  the  spring  of  1876  he 
returned  to  Illinois,  settling  again  at  Galva.  In  1879-80 
he,  in  connection  with  C.  F.  Peterson,  of  Chicago,  com- 
piled and  published  a  history  of  the  Swedish  settlements  in 
Illinois,  a  work  of  500  pages,  printed  in  the  Swedish 
language.  In  1880  he  warmly  espoused  the  cause  of  Gar- 
field  and  Arthur.  In  November,  1880,  commenced  the 


448 

publication  of  the  "  Swedish  Citizen,"  at  Moline,  Illinois^ 
In  July,  1881,  Mr.  Joseph  E.  Osborn  became  connected 
with  him  in  the  publication,  and  in  June,  1882,  Mr.  Osborn 
purchased  his  interest  in  the  Citizen,  becoming  sole  pro- 
prietor. Captain  Johnson  possesses  an  active  mind  and 
industrious  habits,  and  cannot  retire  from  business,  and  so 
in  August,  1882,  he  received  an  appointment  as  clerk  in 
the  war  department  at  Washington. 

He  was  married  January  31,  1863,  to  Miss  Mary  O. 
Trail,  ami  now  has  a  family  of  seven  children.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  church,  active  in  benevolent 
and  temperance  work,  and  ready  at  all  times  and  places  to 
serve  his  country  in  civic  or  military  life. 


CAPT.  JOHN  D.  HATFIELD. 


FARMER,  SOLDIER  AND   MERCHANT. 

'•  Honor  and  merit  from  no  condition  rise, 
Act  well  your  part  and  there  the  credit  lies." 

John  D.  Hatfield  was  born  July  4,  1834,  in  Park 
County,  Indiana,  and  came  to  Illinois  in  1845,  with  his 
father's  family,  settling  in  Radnor,  Peoria  County,  and 
pursuing  the  occupation  of  a  farmer  and  attending  the 
country  schools  in  winter,  in  this  manner  passing  his  life 
until  reaching  manhood.  On  arriving  at  manhood  he  went 
to  Marshall  County  to  reside,  still  working  at  farming  until 
the  war  commenced. 

November  2nd,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H  53d 
Volunteer  Infantry,  in  the  ranks,  company  commanded 
by  Captain  John  W.  McClanahan.  The  regiment  was 
commanded  by  Colonel  W.  H.  H.  Cushman,  and  organized 
at  Ottawa,  laying  there  in  camp  and  drilling  until  March  1, 
1862,  then  moved  to  Chicago,  and  from  there  was  ordered 
to  St.  Louis,  thence  to  Cairo,  and  as  soon  as  transportation 
could  be  -secured,  was  sent  forward  to  join  Buell  at  Savan- 
nah, Tenn.,  then  on  the  march  to  join  Grant.  The  regiment 
took  part  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  on  the  6th  and  7th  of 
April,  1862,  thence  to  Corinth,  taking  part  in  the  siege 
and  other  operations  of  the  army,  the  movements  bringing 
the  53rd  to  Grand  Junction,  Tenn. 
29 


450  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

During  the  summer  of  1862,  the  regiment  were  at 
Memphis,  thence  to  Bolivar.  October  5th,  1862,  the  regi- 
ment took  part  in  the  battle  of  Hatchie  and  Hatfield  was 
wounded  in  the  lower  jaw  with  a  ball  and  thirteen  buck- 
shot, a  very  dangerous  and  painful  wound.  He  was  sent 
home  and  remained  there  until  his  recovery  in  February, 
1863,  when  he  received  his  commission  as  First  Lieutenant 
for  meritorious  conduct  and  returned  to  his  regiment  at 
Memphis,  and  in  the  movements  approaching  Vicksburg 
and  until  its  final  surrender  July  4,  1862,  was  performing 
active  duty  with  his  company.  After  the  fall  of  Vicksburg 
the  regiment  marched  with  other  forces  under  command  of 
Sherman  to  Jackson.  Here,  on  July  12th,  the  regiment 
went  into  the  fight  200  strong  and  came  out  with  only  62. 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Earl  was  killed.  The  carnage  was  fear- 
ful. Lieutenant  Hatfield  was  taken  prisoner,  and  through 
much  privation  and  suffering  was  taken  across  the  country 
and  over  the  rough  railroads  to  Libby  Prison  at  Richmond, 
and  with  many  other  prisoners,  was  kept  there,  suffering 
much.  A  plan  of  escape  was  devised  by  the  prisoners.  A 
tunnel  was  dug  and  109  of  the  prisoners  escaped  February 
9th,  1864,  Captain  Hatfield  being  one  of  the  lucky  ones. 
Among  others  that  escaped  at  the  same  time  were  Captain 
Mark  M.  Bassett,  Co.  E,  53d  Regiment,  now  of  Peoria, 
and  Lieutenant  Henry  P.  Crawford,  of  the  Second  Illinois 
Cavalry^  When  they  came  out  of  the  tunnel  Hatfield  and 
Bassett  became  separated.  Bassett  and  Crawford  stayed 
together,  wandering  around  for  four  nights,  when  they 
were  recaptured  and  again  thrust  into  prison,  this  time  in  a 
dungeon.  They  were  afterwards  taken  to  Columbus,  South 
Carolina,  where  they  again  escaped,  this  time  succeeding  in 
reaching  the  Union  lines.  After  being  almost  starved  for 


CAPT.    JOHN    D.    HATFIELD.  451 

six  days  and  nights,  only  getting  one  meal  during  the  time, 
furnished  him  by  a  colored  man,  he  succeeded  in  reaching 
the  Union  lines  at  Williamsburg.  From  here  he  was  sent 
to  Washington.  After  rest  and  recuperation  he  was  sent 
home  for  sixty  days  and  rejoined  his  regiment  at  Ottawa, 
which  was  home  on  veteran  furlough.  At  the  expiration 
of  the  furlough  the  regiment,  with  Captain  Hatfield,  re- 
joined its  command  at  Cairo,  and  took  boat  up  the  Tennessee 
river  for  Florence,  joined  Sherman  at  Rome,  Georgia,  and 
engaged  in  the  Atlanta  campaign.  Captain  Hatfield  here 
received  his  final  promotion  to  the  captaincy  of  his  com- 
pany, and  with  it  bore  his  share  of  the  toils  and  perils  of 
the  campaign,  taking  a  prominent  part  in  the  desperate 
charges  and  assaults  of  the  20th,  21st  and  22d  of  July, 
losing  in  the  three-days'  fight  101  men. 

After  these  bloody  days  they  rested  for  a  few  days 
at  Eastport,  then  going  in  pursuit  of  Hood  northward,  re- 
turning to  Marietta  November  6th.  On  the  16th  he  started 
with  his  regiment  "  On  the  march  to  the  sea,"  from  thence 
participated  in  the  Carolina  campaign,  to  Goldsboro,  thence 
to  Raleigh  and  to  Richmond,  the  scene  of  his  imprison- 
ment in  Libby,  from  Richmond  "  On  to  Washington,"  and 
he  participated  in  the  grand  review  of  May  24th,  thence 
proceeding  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  the  regiment  was 
mustered  out  of  the  service  July  22nd,  and  sent  to  Camp 
Douglas,  Chicago,  for  final  payment  and  discharge  on  the 
29th,  1865. 

Capt.  Hatfield  came  back  to  Marshall  county  and  en- 
gaged in  farming,  and  was  quite  successful.  April  26,  1866, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Nellie  M.  Shepherdson,  of  War- 
wick, Massachusetts. 

In  1868  he  commanded  a  company    of   "  Tanners  "    in 


452  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  campaign  of  that  summer  and  autumn,  and  has  partici- 
pated in  public  affairs,  always  public  spirited,  urging 
measures  which  would  contribute  to  the  public  interests. 

In  1876  he  sold  his  large  farm  in  Saratoga,  Marshall 
county,  and  removed  to  Bradford,  Stark  county,  and  in 
1880  had  the  honor  of  commanding  the  "Wide  Awakes" 
in  the  Garfield  campaign.  In  1882  his  fellow-citizens 
elected  him  as  one  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors  for 
Stark  county.  He  is  largely  engaged  in  the  produce  and 
stock  trade  at  Bradford,  enjoying  among  the  business  men 
a  reputation  for  uprightness  in  his  commercial  transactions. 
He  has  a  comfortable  home,  presided  over  by  a  regular 
"  Warwick "  of  housekeepers,  the  woman  from  the  "  Old 
Bay  State,""  chosen  at  the  close  of  his  eventful  war  experi- 
ence, and  to  this  household  have  been  added  from  time  to 
time  u  olive  branches,"  some  three  or  four,  making  a  very 
pleasant  household  in  which  to  make  a  short  visit,  and  it 
has  been  our  privilege  to  enjoy  his  hospitality  both  while 
residing  on  his  farm  and  since  he  moved  to  Bradford. 


HON.  ELBERT  EASTERLY. 

CITIZEN,   FARMER  AND   PUBLIC  OFFICIAL. 


If  integrity  and  uprightness  in  a  citizen  long  known 
and  respected  by  his  fellow-citizens  should  be  recognized, 
then  here  we  have  a  man  indeed  in  whom  there  was  no 
guile,  and  whose  virtues  should  be  transmitted  down 
through  history  for  the  example  and  emulation  of  his  fellow- 
oitizens. 

Elbert  Easterly  was  born  near  Greenville,  Greene 
county,  Tennessee,  July  10th,  1828,  and  came  to  Illinois  in 
May,  1847.  His  parents,  Casper  and  Elizabeth  Easterly, 
came  to  Jackson  county  from  Greenville,  Tenn.,  September 
1850.  His  father  died  October  3rd,  1863,  and  his  mother 
died  September  16,  1863.  On  the  third  day  of  March, 
1854,  he  married  Miss  Ellen  Hinchcliffe,  whose  parents, 
Joseph  and  Sarah  Hinchcliffe,  were  natives  of  England, 
and  settled  in  Jackson  county  in  1829.  Both  are  now  dead. 

Mr.  Easterly  settled  on  a  farm  four. miles  southeast  of 
Murphysboro,  and  by  his  own  exertions  succeeded  in  mak- 
ing it  one  of  the  most  productive  in  Jackson  county.  He 
was  early  entrusted  by  his  fellow-citizens  with  important 
public  trusts  and  official  positions — justice  of  the  peace, 
assessor,  one  of  the  associate  judges  of  the  county  at  an 
early  date  when  the  county  court  was  composed  of  three 
judges,  one  presiding  and  two  associates.  He  held  this 
position  several  terms. 


454  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

In  every  public  enterprise  he  was  among  the  foremost, 
either  in  church  or  temporal  matters.  He  took  a  more 
than  ordinary  interest  in  the  advancement  of  his  chosen 
calling  —  agriculture  and  horticulture,  and  after  the  county 
agricultural  society  was  organized,  served  on  its  board  of 
management  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

At  the  inauguration  of  the  farmer's  "movement  in  1873 
he  identified  himself  with  those  combined  for  the  protection 
of  the  agricultural  interests  of  the  country.  He  was  presi- 
dent of  the  Jackson  County  Farmer's  Club,  and  took  an 
active  part  in  promoting  its  objects  in  protesting  against 
monopoly  in  all  its  forms. 

In  1874,  when  there  was  an  effort  made  by  designing 
men  to  merge  the  farmer's  organization  of  the  state  into 
political  clubs  to  promote  the  schemes  of  political  wire- 
workers  who  wanted  to  ride  into  office  by  the  influence  of 
the  farmer's  clubs,  he  entered  his  protest,  and  through  his 
influence  at  the  meeting  of  the  county  club  in  April,  1874, 
a  series  of  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  members 
that  the  farmers  of  Jackson  county  would  not  sym- 
pathize or  countenance  partizan  political  action  outside  of 
the  old  political  organization.  The  action  of  the  Jackson 
county  farmers  and  these  resolutions  were  published  in  the 
leading  papers  of  both  political  parties  of  the  state,  and 
had  great  influence  in  checking  the  demagogical  movement 
then  being  made  to  carry  the  farmer's  movement  into  par- 
tisan politics. 

In  1872,  at  an  election  held  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused 
by  the  death  of  Hon.  William  Schwartz,  as  representative 
to  the  state  legislature,  the  republicans  nominated  Mr.  Eas- 
terly as  their  candidate,  and  he  received  many  more  votes 
than  his  party  strength,  yet  failed  of  an  election  but  twenty- 


HOX.    ELBERT     EASTERLY.  455 

seven  majority  against  him,  the  county  being  more  than 
one  hundred  democratic. 

Mr.  Easterly  was  a  devoted  Christian,  holding  a  license 
as  a  local  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

After  a  protracted  and  painful  illness  he  died  February 
25,  1875,  in  the  forty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  respected  by 
all  who  knew  him. 

He  was  peculiarly  happy  in  his  family  relations,  very 
social,  and  given  to  hospitality,  and  no  man  in  his  county 
numbered  more  or  warmer  friends. 

He  was  blessed  with  eleven  children,  seven  boys  and 
four  daughters ;  four  sons  died.  Two  of  his  sons  have 
been  residents  for  three  years  past  of  the  Pacific  coast,  before 
reaching  there  making  the  tour  of  the  western  states  and 
territories.  Two  daughters  are  married,  Jennie,  eldest 
daughter,  to  Don  Johnson,  and  they  reside  on  a  large  farm 
near  Carbondale.  Second  daughter,  Alice,  married  to 
Samuel  H.  Coad,  of  Murphysboro,  111.,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business.  Two  daughters  and  the  young- 
est son,  Elbert,  are  attending  the  Southern  Illinois  Normal 
University  completing  their  education. 


HON.  JOSEPH  GILLESPIE. 


PIONEER,   LEGISLATOR  AND  JUDGE. 


Intending  to  give  a  full  sketch  of  Judge  Gillespie  in 
volume  II,  we  only  produce  a  portion  of  his  pioneer  life  as 
introductory  to  an  article  written  by  him  on  the  early  rail- 
road legislation  of  Illinois,  resulting  in  the  grant  of  land 
to  aid  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  in  building.  We 
visited  Edwardsville  in  December  last,  and  were  pleased  to 
find  this  old  Gamaliel  of  the  Illinois  Bar  at  leisure  to  give 
us  an  audience  of  two  or  three  hours,  which  we  devoted  to 
refreshing  our  recollections  of  the  early  history  of  the 
state,  and  we  know  that  the  historical  part  of  our  work  is 
more  full  and  complete  by  reason  of  that  interview. 

Judge  Gillespie  gave  us  some  reminiscences  of  his  early 
frontier  experience  in  a  trip  he  made  in  company  with  his 
brother  Matthew  from  Edwardsville  to  the  Galena  Lead 
Mines  in  1827.  They  left  home  Feb.  22d  to  seek  their 
fortunes  at  the  mines.  The  winter  up  to  that  time  had 
been  very  open,  raining  a  gjreat  deal  of  the  time,  the  prai- 
ries were  covered  with  water,  the  broad  sloughs  full  and 
the  streams  overflowing,  no  bridges  across  the  streams,  they 
being  compelled  to  swim  nearly  every  stream  on  the  route, 
and  camp  in  open  air  at  night.  They  reached  Springfield 
at  the  end  of  the  third  day  out,  not  entering  a  house  on 
the  route.  They  rested  here,  then  struck  across  the 
broad  prairie  in  the  direction  of  Fort  Clark  (Peoria), 


HOST.    JOSEPH    GILLESPIE.  457 

not  finding  a  house  to  lodge  in  on  the  route.  Ar- 
rived at  Peoria,  found  it  filled  by  a  conglomeration  of 
Indians,  French  voyageurs,  frontier  adventurers  and  just  a 
few  people  who  "came  to  stay."  Whisky  was  one 
essential  part  of  the  refreshments  offered,  and  muscular 
strength,  either  fighting  or  wrestling,  was  the  chief  pastime 
with  a  large  portion  of  the*  population. 

He  related  that  the  hardest  fight  he  ever  witnessed  be- 
tween two  men,  was  between  two  boatmen  on  the  night  of 
their  arrival  at  Fort  Clark.  It  was  to  tesst  which  was  the 
"  better  man/7  no  other  principle  being  involved. 

From  Fort  Clark  they  struck  northward  across  the 
prairie  to  Boyd's  Grove,  then  on  past  where  Princeton  now 
is,  thence  to  Paw  Paw  Grove,  .and  on  to  Dixon  on  Rock 
river,  the  ferry  at  that  time  being  kept  by  a  French  Indian 
trader  by  the  name  of  Ogee.  Here  he  met  Isaac  Funk, 
with  another  man  named  Phelps,  who  were  on  a  trading 
trip,  going  to  Galena,  and  part  of  their  "  produce  "  was  a 
barrel  of  whisky.  Gillespie,  from  much  exposure,  was 
very  sick.  He  went  to  Phelps  for  "  sumthin'  warmin'"  to 
get  the  chills  out  of  his  system,  internally  and  externally. 
Phelps  said :  "  Yes,  I've  surathin'  hottern'  brimstun." 
Gillespie  told  him  that  was  just  what  he  wanted,  and  was 
furnished  with  enough  to  set  his  yearning  stomach  all 
right.  Dixon  was  occupied  at  the  time  by  a  band  of 
Winnebago  Indians,  and  the  Gillespie  boys  bivouacked 
with  them  and  made  a  bargain  to  be  ferried  over  Rock 
River  next  morning.  During  the  night  it  turned  very 
cold  and  the  Indians  would  not  or  could  not  ferry  them 
over.  As  they  had  paid  the  Indians  they  determined  they 
should  fulfill  their  promise,  so  they  took  canoes  and  ferried 
themselves  over.  Getting  north  of  Rock  river  they  built  a 


458 

large  fire  to  keep  warm  by,  and  when  the  weather  moder- 
ated a  little  they  pushed  out  towards  Galena,  arriving  there 
on  the  nineteenth  day  out.  They  remained  in  the  lead 
mine  district  for  three  years ;  did  not "  strike  it  rich."  His 
description  of  the  miners'  life,  their  huts,  their  methods  of 
cooking,  the  internal  arrangement  of  their  houses,  the  free 
and  easy  life  they  led,  all  was  interesting. 

•  He  tells  about  hard  times.  When  he  returned  from  the 
lead  mines  in  the  fall  of  1829,  he  came  down  the  Missis- 
sippi from  Galena  in  a  skiff  to  Quincy,  and  crossed  the 
country  on  foot  to  Phillips'  Ferry,  on  the  Illinois  River, 
walking  home  about  one  hundred  miles.  He  had  but  one 
dollar  when  he  started,  and  offered  to  pay  his  way  at  every 
place  at  which  he  stopped  over  night  or  took  a  meal,  and 
found  no  one  that  could  change  the  dollar  until  he  reached 
Carrollton,  Green  County.  Nothing  was  produced  in  the 
settled  part  of  the  state  in  that  day  except  beeswax  and 
peltries.  These  would  bear  transportation,  so  could  be 
turned  into  money.  No  sale  in  large  quantities  could 
be  made  of  produce.  The  only  way  of  turning  that  into 
money  was  to  build  flat  boats  and  descend  to  New  Orleans 
to  market  their  surplus  products.  This  made  Lincoln  a 
flat-boatman  before  he  was  grown  to  manhood,  and  Gil- 
lespie  a  famed  oarsman,  so  with  a  frail  skiff  he  run  the 
Mississippi  from  Galena  to  Quincy.  A  life  of  such  rugged 
toil  made  them  the  self-reliant  men  they  afterwards  became. 
But  we  could  give  history  that  he  furnished  to  fill 
more  than  a  chapter.  We  defer  it  till  the  next  volume 
and  fill  out  balance  of  space  with  accounts  of  railroad 
legislation  that  inaugurated  the  building  of  the  Illinois 
Central  and  other  railroads,  from  which  our  readers  can  re- 
fresh their  memories  in  regard  to  measures  that  introduced 


HON.    JOSEPH     GILLESPIE.  459 

the  great  system  of  railroads  throughout  the  state.  In 
the  Black  Hawk  war  Judge  Gillespie  was  a  member  of 
Captain  Erastus  Wheeler's  Company  of  Mounted  Volun- 
teers in  the  regiment  commanded  by  that  famous  Indian 
fighter,  Col.  Sam  Whitesides ;  has  been  a  member  of  both 
branches  of  the  state  legislature  for  many  sessions,  been 
circuit  judge,  held  many  other  responsible  offices,  and  is  a 
regular  cyclopedia  of  state  and  national  history. 

EDWARDSVILLE,  December  20,  1882. 
JERIAH  BONHAM,  ESQ., 

Dear  Sir: —  I  promised  to  give  you  my  recollections 
touching  some  points  in  the  history  of  railroad  legislation 
in  this  state.  In  reference  to  the  first  system,  I  was 
hostile  to  that,  for  two  reasons :  first,  the  state  was  by  no 
means  prepared  for  it,  and  secondly,  it  was  to  be  managed 
exclusively  by  politicians.  That  system  broke  down,  leav- 
ing the  state  hopelessly  encumbered  with  a  debt  of 
$17,000,000,  and  not  a  mile  of  railroad  in  running  order. 
This  banished  all  hopes  of  improvement  in  that  line  for  a 
number  of  years.  The  bare  mention  of  the  word  "  railroad" 
would  have  the  same  effect  upon  our  people  that  flaunting 
a  red  rag  would  have  upon  a  turkey  gobbler.  After  a 
while,  however,  applications  for  railroad  charters  began  to 
be  applied  for,  under  which  the  roads  were  to  be  built  and 
operated  by  private  capital.  I  believe  the  Chicago  and 
Galena  proved  to  be  a  success,  and  a  furore  began  to  grow 
up.  Everybody  became  willing  to  grant  charters,  so  the 
roads  were  constructed  with  private  means.  From  being 
hostile  the  people  became  first  indifferent,  and  then  enthus- 
iastic, almost  frantic,  for  railroads.  A  man  who  was  not 
for  every  project  that  was  presented  to  the  legislature  in 
the  precise  shape  it  was  asked  for  was  regarded  as  a  public 
enemy.  A  great  many  people  in  and  out  of  the  legislature 
were  for  exempting  railroads  from  taxation  entirely,  and  it 
became,  as  many  of  us  thought,  an  imperative  duty  to  see 
that  no  charter  passed  without  the  taxation  feature  fully 


460  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

assured.  It  was  when  things  were  in  this  state  that  the 
question  of  chartering  the  Illinois  Central  road  came  up. 
Mr.  Rantoul  came  out  from  Boston  with  a  charter  in  his 
pocket,  which  proposed  to  exempt  the  company  from  taxa- 
tion, in  consideration  of  which  the  state  was  to  get  a  per- 
centage of  the  gross  earning  of  the  road,  which  was  fixed 
at  seven  per  cent.,  although  it  was  stated  that  when  Rantoul 
first  came  out  he  was  willing  to  allow  ten  per  cent.  The 
bill,  however,  passed  the  house  for  the  payment  of  seven 
per  cent,  and  no  taxation.  The  friends,  par  excellence,  of 
the  measure  looked  upon  what  were  called  the  "  state  policy 
men  "  as  enemies  of  the  Central,  and  as  intending  to  strangle 
it.  When  the  bill  came  into  the  senate  it  was  referred  to  a 
select  committee.  Rantoul  declared  that  if  it  was  altered 
in  any  respect  whatever  he  would  pick  up  his  traps  and 
return  to  Boston.  The  majority  of  the  senate  was  not  to 
be  dragooned  into  measures.  His  threats  had  the  effect, 
however,  of  putting  the  immense  delegations  from  every 
county  through  which  the  road  was  to  pass  into  a  perfect 
fury.  We  were  threatened  and  insulted  on  our  way  to  our 
boarding  houses  and  denounced  in  unmeasured  terms. 
Next  morning  the  committee  reported,  to  strike  out  seven 
and  insert  five  as  the  per  centage  to  be  paid;  next,  that  the 
company  should  pay  taxes  at  the  rate  of  seventy-five  cents 
on  the  hundred  dollars,  and  if  that  was  not  equal  to  two 
per  cent,  of  the  gross  earnings  it  should  be  made  up  to 
that  amount,  so  that  the  state  was  to  receive  seven  per 
cent,  in  bonus  and  taxation  together.  The  only  difference 
between  those  propositions  and  the  original  bill  was  that 
the  amendment  retained  the  taxation  feature.  There  was 
not  a  man  among  the  thirteen  who  voted  for  this  amend- 
ment who  was  not  an  ardent  friend  of  the  Central  railroad 
scheme,  but  under  no  circumstances  would  they  consent  to 
allow  a  charter  for  a  road  to  pass  which  exempted  the  com- 
pany from  the  payment  of  what  was  deemed  its  proper  pro- 
portion of  taxes.  They  considered  that  the  building  of  a 
railroad  along  the  back  bone  of  the  state  in  anticipation  of 
the  settlement  of  the  country  was  compensated  for  by  the 
2,600,000  acres  of  fertile  lands.  The  men  who  favored 


HON.    JOSEPH     GLLLESPIE.  461 

this  modification  were  classed  as  enemies  of  the  Central 
railroad.  Another  step  taken  by  the  same  set  of  men  sub- 
jected them  to  the  odium  of  being  enemies  to  the  building 
of  railroads,  and  that  was  the  controversy  between  the 
Michigan  Central  and  the  Michigan  Southern  and  Northern 
Indiana.  The  Southern  had  applied  to  the  legislature  of 
Michigan  for  permission  to  cross  a  corner  of  that  state,  so 
as  to  get  into  Chicago,  which  was  refused  at  the  instance 
of  the  Michigan  Central.  The  Central  applied  to  our  legis- 
lature to  go  to  Chicago,  which  was  refused  until  the  legis- 
lature of  Michigan  should  give  the  Southern  the  like  per- 
mission, the  result  of  which  action  was  that  both  roads  got 
into  Chicago.  This  was  likewise  classed  as  illiberal  on  the 
part  of  our  state.  Another  instance  arose/  between  the 
Terre  Haute  &  Alton  and  what  was  called  the  Atlantic  & 
Mississippi,  since  known  as  the  Brongh  or  Vandalia  road. 
The  T.  H.  &  A.  was  chartered  first  and  subscriptions  of 
about  $1,000,000  paid  in  and  expended  by  counties,  cities 
and  citizens  along  the  line,  when  the  charter  was  applied 
for  of  the  A-  &  M.  to  run  virtually  between  the  same 
termini.  The  latter  being  the  shortest  route,  and  backed 
by  Indiana  and  Missouri,  it  became  evident  that  if  chartered 
it  would  take  the  wind  out  of  the  T.  H.  &  A.,  and  it  was 
deemed  to  be  the  best  policy  to  hold  the  A.  &  M.  back 
until  the  T.  II:  &  A.  should  be  out  of  danger  of  total 
destruction.  It  was  believed  that  you  could  build  a 
straight  road  after  you  had  built  a  crooked  one,  but  never 
a  crooked  one  after  a  straight  one,  between  the  same  ter- 
mini. Indiana  contended  that  she  had  the  right  to  control 
the  entrance  of  roads  into  our  state,  and  Missouri  claimed 
the  right  of  determining  their  exit,  which  would  leave 
nothing  under  the  control  of  Illinois. 

As  we  were  powerless  so  far  as  Indiana  was  concerned, 
and  had  to  hitch  to  the  roads  just  as  she  would  send  them 
to  us,  some  were  of  opinion  that  we  might  try  our  hand  in 
favoring  commercial  points  on  the  western  side  of  our  state, 
for  instance,  Quincy  and  Alton,  but  this  did  not  suit  Mis- 
souri;  she  wanted  to  cast  the  benefit  of  roads  crossing  our 
state  into  the  lap  of  St.  Louis  and  Hannibal,  and  because  we 


462  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

endeavored  to  pursue  this  policy  we  were  denounced  as 
dogs  in  the  manger,  barbarians  and  the  like,  both  in  the  east 
and  west.  Illinois  had  just  power  enough  to  hold  back  the 
Hannibal  project  until  a  branch  of  the  Great  Western  was 
built  to  Quincy,  and  the  Brough  road  until  the  T.  H.  &  A. 
was  out  of  danger,  then  capital  asserted  its  control.  It  was 
a  blessed  thing  for  Chicago  that  she  was  out  of  the  way  of 
rivals  in  Indiana  and  Missouri,  and  was  left  to  grow  up  in 
peace.  Illinois  for  a  long  time  was  about  in  the  condition 
of  a  rabbit  that  had  been  seized  by  two  dogs,  each  tugging 
away  to  get  the  most  of  it.  We  soon  outgrew  these  compe- 
ting interests  in  railroad  enterprises,  and  everything  has 
gone  on  swimmingly.  Roads  are  constructed  now  without 
let  or  hindrance.  It  may  be  said  to  the  credit  of  railroad 
legislation  in  Illinois  that  she  has  more  miles  in  operation 
than  any  other  state  in  the  Union,  and  that  she  owes  not  one 
oent  on  their  account.  On  the  contrary  she  is  receiving 
what  is  accounted  to  be  the  one-seventh  of  the  gross  earn- 
ings of  the  Central  road.  The  amount,  however,  does  not 
seem  to  have  kept  pace  with  the  growth  of  the  country,  nor 
with  the  increase  in  the  earnings  of  other  roads,  and  it  is 
apprehended  by  many  that  the  state  has  not  been  the  gainer 
by  the  outside  connections  of  that  road.  When  the  road 
was  chartered  the  pooling  process  was  unknown  and  unan- 
ticipated. The  blending  of  the  earnings  of  this  road  will 
account  for  the  reason  why,  when  the  gross  earnings  of  other 
roads  are  increasing  with  such  rapidity,  the  Central  should 
remain  stationary,  or  rather  be  retrograding.  I  think  there 
would  be  nothing  unjust  or  illiberal  in  holding  the  Central 
to  a  strict  account  of  its  gross  earnings.  That  road  was  the 
recipient  from  the  state  of  what  was  equal  to  $26,000,000 
to  aid  in  its  construction,  for  it  had  the  authority  to  dispose 
of  its  land,  not  only  for  agricultural  purposes,  but  for  town 
sites ;  besides  its  lands  were  exempted  from  the  burden  of 
taxation,  while  they  belonged  to  it,  and  its  mode  of  selling 
by  bond  instead  of  a  deed,  kept  the  lands  for  man,y  years 
exempt  from  taxation  after  they  should  have  been  subject 
to  the  common  burdens.  The  course  of  the  company  in 
that  regard  deserves  severe  criticism. 


HON-  STERLING  P.  ROUNDS,  PUBLIC  PRINTER. 

WASHINGTON,   D.  C- 


THE  PKESS. 


HON.  STERLING  P.  ROUNDS. 

SUPERINTENDENT   OF  PUBLIC  PRINTING. 

Among  the  many  men  of  great  talent  and  business  ca- 
pacity that  have  been  employed  by  the  government  to 
superintend  its  great  printing  interests  since  the  establish- 
ment of  that  department  in  1820,  perhaps  no  man  that  has 
been  selected  has  combined  more  practical  knowledge  of  the 
business  than  Sterling  P.  Rounds,  .born  June  27,  1828,  at 
Berkshire,  Franklin  county,  Vermont. 

The  founders  of  the  family  came  early  in  colonial  times 
to  Rhode  Island,  removing  in  latter  years  to  New  Hamp- 
shire and  finally  to  Vermont.  In  whatever  place  they 
located  they  were  known  as  enterprising  and  patriotic  citi- 
zens. In  the  revolution  they  were  patriots,  making  hon- 
orable records,  whether  in  the  ranks  as  private  soldiers  or 
winning  their  way  to  rank  and  position  as  officers.  When 
the  revolutionary  stock,  in  years  of  honor  and  probity,  were 
gathered  to  their  fathers,  their  sons  transmitted  the  hon- 
orable record  down  to  the  present  generation  by  active  and 
gallant  service  in  the  war  of  1812-13.  They  were  a  pro- 
lific stock,  and  we  find  some  of  them  more  enterprising 
than  the  others,  joining  the  tide  of  western  emigration  and 
answering  the  roll  calls  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  still  later 


464  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

in  the  Rebellion,  sealing  their  patriotism  with  wounds  and 
some  of  them  with  their  lives.  With  this  proven  record,  in 
whatever  community  they  chose  to  establish  themselves, 
they  were  soon  known  as  "  stalwarts  among  the  stalwarts," 
unflinching  in  principle,  their  courage  questioned  by  none, 
willing  at  all  times  to  sacrifice  everything  for  national 
honor,  freedom,  justice,  and  a  grander  and  brighter  future 
for  the  country. 

When  the  subject  of  our  sketch  came  west  he  was  just 
entering  his  teens,  had  been  kept  well  in  hand  at  school, 
where  he  had  proven  himself  a  painstaking  and  successful 
student,  a  little  ahead  of  the  average  of  his  age.  He  came 
with  his  parents  to  Kenosha,  Southern  Wisconsin,  in  1840, 
at  that  time  the  residence  of  some  of  the  future  great  men 
of  the  state.  His  parents'  ambition  was  that  Sterling 
should,  when  arrived  at  the  proper  age,  study  law.  With 
this  end  in  view  he  was  given  studies  that  lead  in  that 
direction,  including  the  higher  mathematics  and  languages, 
under  the  tuition  of  the  future  Gov.  Harvey.  He  readily 
mastered  all  the  studies  given  him,  but  did  not  take  kindly 
to  the  idea  of  becoming  a  disciple  of  Blackstone.  For  it 
he  had  neither  inclination  nor  taste.  While  studying  he 
had  occasionally  permitted  his  hands  to  handle  type,  had 
got  the  stain  of  printer's  ink  on  his  fingers,  and  he  was 
almost  irresistibly  drawn  to  the  "  shooting  stick,"  a 
" press "-ure  was  laid  on  him  to  adopt  the  "rule"  that 
would  make  him  a  "type"  of  those  whose  "lever  and  ful- 
crum "  moves  the  world. 

Young  Hounds  in  1840  entered  the  office  of  the  Ameri- 
can, that  Mr.  Harvey  had  purchased,  became  an  apprentice, 
and  for  five  years  was  "  general  utility"  boy  in  all  depart- 
ments, carried  papers,  was  "  devil  in  chief,"  became  thor- 


IIP 


HON.    STERLING    P.    ROUNDS.  465 


oiighly  versed  in  the  "  black  art,"  and  before  the  term  of 
his  apprenticeship  had  expired  was  promoted  to  the  fore- 
manship  of  the  office. 

His  genius  was  great,  he  was  a  good  printer,  his  fame 
went  abroad,  and  he  was  offered  the  foremanship  of  the 
official  state  paper  at  Madison,  Wis.,  then  owned  by  W. 
W.  Wyman,  in  the  fall  and  winter  of  1844,  and  accepted. 
Mr.  Bounds  journeyed  to  the  Capital,  having  faith  iu  his- 
own  powers.  The  management  was  surrendered  into  his 
hands,  and  he  filled  the  place  with  ability  until  the  opening 
of  a  larger  field  of  usefulness.  Gen.  Rufus  King  com- 
menced the  publication  of  the  Sentinel  in  the  winter  of 
1845—6,  the  first  daily  published  in  Wisconsin,  and  secured 
Mr.  Rounds  as  a  special  compositor  to  set  the  editorials 
from  the  editorial  manuscript,  which  required  much  greater 
skill  than  ordinary  "  copy." 

Here  he  staid  until  the  establishment  of  a  new  paper  at 
Racine,  in  the  winter  of  1846-47,  during  the  Mexican  war, 
by  Edward  Bliss,  who  made  him  the  offer  of  better  pay. 
He  assumed  the  formanship  of  this  sheet,  and  for  two  years 
was  at  the  head  of  the  establishment,  the  typographical 
"  director-general." 

Yet  he  was  not  content.  This  ambitious  Alexander  in 
the  art  typographical  yet  yearned  for  other  fields  to  con- 
quer. ."No  pent  up  Utica  confined  his  powers."  He  had 
learned  all  he  could  in  an  ordinary  office,  and  desired  to 
"  know  it  all,"  to  become  an  expert.  His  stalking  am- 
bition would  not  be  satisfied  with  anything  short  of  being 
the  head  of  the  profession.  "  Upon  what  meat  did  this 
young  disciple  of  Franklin  feed,"  that  no  common  position 
would  satisfy  him.  He  cast  his  eye  to  the  east,  and  was 
soon  installed  in  the  famous  establishment  of  the  Com- 
30 


466  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

mercial  Advertiser,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  controlled  by  Jewett, 
Thomas  &  Co.,  the  then  acknowledged  head  of  the  printing 
establishments  in  America. 

Here  Mr.  Rounds'  ambition  was  gratified.  He  worked 
under  the  most  critical  instructions  for  two  years — in  fact  a 
second  apprenticeship — graduated  and  won  a  diploma, 
which  pronounced  him  "a  first-class  and  accomplished 
printer  in  the  best  sense  of  the  word." 

Then  "  Westward  Ho/'  again.  His  old  friend  Bliss 
visited  him,  and  held  out  flattering  inducements  to  him  to 
return  to  Racine.  Bliss  had  established  a  weekly  literary 
and  temperance  paper,  called  the  "  Old  Oaken  Bucket," 
under  the  patronage  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  and 
wanted  Rounds  to  share  the  pleasure  —  and  the  profits  — 
in  prospect  of  the  publication  with  him. 

This  was  according  to  Mr.  Rounds'  principles,  and  the 
arrangement  was  made,  and  having  purchased  a  large  stock 
'of  material,  newspaper  and  job  type,  he  returned  to  Racine. 
Bliss  wielded  a  trenchant  pen,  and  dealt  out  to  the  liquor 
traffic  powerful  denunciations  on  the  exceeding  sinfulness 
of  their  calling,  and  was  aided  in  the  literary  department 
by  the  powerful  and  scholastic  editorials  of  Rev.  A.  C. 
Barry,  making  the  paper  a  pronounced  success,  while  the 
mechanical  skill  and  taste  of  Mr.  Rounds  produced  the 
best  specimen  of  the  "  art  typographical  "  ever  seen  west 
of  Buffalo,  ranking  him  as  the  head  of  the  profession  — 
acknowledged  by  all  from  the  blue  waters  of  Lake  Michi- 
gan to  the  Pacific  coaet. 

This  reputation  deserved  a  wide  field  and  the  Racine 
office  was  removed  to  Milwaukee  in  1849.  The  Commer- 
cial Advertiser  was  purchased  and  the  two  papers  consoli- 
dated, and  here,  as  elsewhere,  Mr.  Rounds  maintained  his 


HON.    STERLING    P.    ROUNDS.  467 

reputation,  but  the  financial  part  of  the  business  was  unfor- 
tunate, and  he  disposed  of  his  interest  and  came  to  Chicago 

in  December,  1851,  then  just  beginning  to  bloom  out  as  the 
•commercial  as  well  as  the  literary  center  of  the  northwest. 
At  Chicago  he  formed  a  business  arrangement  with  J. 
J.  Langdon,  then  having  the  largest  business  facilities  of 
the  kind  in  the  city,  and  under  the  skillful  management  of 
Rounds  the  business  doubled  within  a  year.  Three  or  four 
years  of  marked  prosperity  and  the  office  was  sold  to  Isaac 
Cook  in  1855-56,  who  established  the  Chicago  Times,  with 
J.  W.  Sheahan  as  editor. 

Mr.  Rounds  at  once  purchased  a  new  and  better  ap- 
pointed office  and  entered  upon  its  management  as  sole 
proprietor,  soon  culminating  in  the  "  Printer's  Warehouse," 
the  most  extensive  establishment  in  the  west,  with  custom- 
ers from  Ohio  to  the  Pacific,  which,  under  intelligent  and 
liberal  management  was  organized  as  the  "  Round's  Type 
and  Press  Company/'  and  enjoying  an  immense  trade. 

.  It  is  the  business  of  our  "  Recollections  "  to  record  his- 
tory, and  we  know  whereof  we  write.  Sterling  P.  Rounds 
was  the  organizer  of  the  printing  business  in  Chicago.  His 
printing  business  doubled,  and  doubled  again,  until  it 
became  not  only  the  widest  known  but  the  greatest  in  the 
Northwest.  His  stock  kept  pace  with  the  demand,  teach- 
ing what  could  be  done  with  means  and  energy. 

His  "  Pioneer  Electrotype  Foundry "  and  "  Printer's 
Cabinet  "  were  established  in  1856,  they  being  now  in  their 
twenty-seventh  year.  The  Cabinet  is  the  acknowledged 
authority  in  all  that  pertains  to  printing.  It  combines  the 
finest  specimens  of  typography  to  be  found,  and  to  it  more 
than  any  other  publication  can  be  ascribed  the  great  im- 
provement in  the  printing  business.  Mr.  Rounds  controlled 


468  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  manufacture  of  the  Chicago  Taylor  Press,  which  for 
cheapness,  usefulness  and  reliability,  filled  a  much  and  long 
needed  want,  to  the  great  benefit  of  the  printer  and  the 
public. 

In  1865  he  established  a  bindery,  and  the  vast  business 
seemed  to  be  complete.  Mr.  Rounds'  house  was  the  only 
one  west  of  New  York  that  could  furnish  everything, — 
type,  press,  material  for  the  publication  of  book,  and  "  set 
up,"  electrotype,  print,  fold,  stitch,  bind  and  finish,  under 
the  same  roof,  for  circulation.  The  undertaking  of  so  much 
enabled  him  to  work  off  some  of  his  superfluous  energy. 
The  nerve  and  brain  power  was  there,  and  the  years  came 
and  went  with  ever  increasing  and  extending  business 
until  the  fatal  hour  when  the  riot  of  flame,  October  9th, 
1871,  reduced,  by  a  cyclone  of  fire,  §125,000  in  stock  and 
buildings  to  ashes,  leaving  nothing  remaining  of  business 
except  his  manufactory  of  presses  on  the  West  Side,  which 
the  fire  did  not  reach.  With  others,  he  felt  the  great  blow 
that  prostrated  him.  Only  for  a  brief  time  he  bowed 
before  it.  He  had  health,  unimpaired  credit,  experience^ 
and  a  true  and  devoted  wife  to  sustain  him.  He  buckled 
on  his  business  armor,  made  a  brave  fight,  and  a  hard 
struggle  brought  him  through  before  the  hard  times  ^of 
1873,  '74  and  '75  came  around.  Mr.  Rounds  mastered  the- 
situation  then,  and  passed  through  the  financial  storm 
unharmed. 

The  flames  destroyed  every  newspaper  office  in  the  city. 
Mr.  Rounds  had  just  completed  seven  presses,  which,  with 
the  requisite  type  and  material,  were  boxed  and  marked 
ready  for  shipment  to  customers.  He  ordered  them 
unpacked  and  put  in  working  order,  and  during  the  several 
weeks  necessary  for  publishers  to  procure  new  presses 


HON.    STERLING    P.    ROUNDS.  469 

from  the  east  he  printed  the  Tribune,  Times,  Post,  Journal, 
and  some  other  publications  without  advancing  prices, — 
an  act  of  neighborly  and  fraternal  kindness  that  was  grace- 
fully acknowledged  by  the  entire  press  of  the  city. 

Years  have  passed  since  the  great  fire  and  the  financial 
collapse  of  the  country  of  1873,  and  Mr.  Rounds  has  held 
on  his  way.  His  business  has  largely  increased,  and  when 
his  name  was  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  high  posi- 
tion that  he  now  fills  the  entire  press  of  the  Northwest,  and 
most  of  the  Eastern  and  Southern,  received  it  with  appro- 
bation and  endorsement. 

He  was  not  only  backed  by  the  solid  united  press  of  the 
country,  but  by  the  solid  endorsement  of  the  Illinois  dele- 
gation in  Congress,  by  the  state  officials,  municipal  author- 
ities of  cities  and  business  men  all  over  the  country  who 
knew  his  unsullied  reputation.  His  call  to  the  place 
approached  unanimity,  and  he  has  not  disappointed  the 
expectations  of  the  country.  He  is  a  most  practical  man, 
has  the  largest  experience,  the  ripest  judgment,  the  most 
sterling  honesty,  and  a  clear-headed  decision  of  purpose. 

Mr.  Rounds  has  held  many  positions  of  trust;  has  been 
president  of  the  Illinois  State  Press  Association,  president 
of  the  Northwestern  Type  Foundry  Association,  and  of  the 
Employing  Printers'  Association,  and  everywhere  has  made 
his  example  and  influence  for  good  respected  and  felt. 

In  social  life  he  has  won  countless  friends.  He  has 
ever  been  ready  to  give  aid  to  the  deserving  poor.  None 
ever  appeared  to  him  in  vain,  and  many  now  flourishing 
publishers  owe  their  start  and  success  in  life  to  him.  He  is 
genial,  cordial  and  friendly  to  all,  so  much  so,  as  in  scrip- 
ture phrase,  to  "  draw  all  men  unto  him."  This  feeling  has 
grown  with  his  growth,  deepened  and  ripened  as  life  ad- 


470  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

vanced,  been  the  motive  power  that  has  brought  him  to  his 
present  high  position  of  public  printer  of  the  United  States, 
a  post  of  imperative  duties,  responsibilities,  perplexities  and 
ceaseless  demands  upon  nerve,  muscle  and  brain,  all  neces- 
sary in  the  executive  head  of  the  largest  printing,  ruling, 
and  binding  establishment  in  the  world.  This,  as  all  who 
know  anything  of  the  workings  of  the  public  printing 
office  are  aware,  requires  rare  discrimination  under  the  im- 
mense pressure  brought  to  bear  upon  one  at  the  head  of  a 
department. 

Our  portrait  of  Mr.  Rounds  on  adjoining  page  shows 
him  to  be  of  massive  frame,  a  touch  of  the  Websterian 
in  head,  brow  and  eyes,  at  his  best  in  physical  health 
and  mental  vigor,  not  likely  to  break  down  under  any 
strain  of  business. 

Such  are  our  personal  remembrances  of  Mr.  Rounds 
after  years  of  acquaintance  with  him,  and  we  record  them 
among  our  pleasant  recollections  of  residence,  social  and 
business  relations  while  we  lived  in  Chicago  and  engaged  in 
the  publishing  business,  that  in  some  considerable  degree 
fits  us  to  make  this  public  record  of  one  so  eminently  de- 
serving. 


HON.  ENOCH  EMERY. 


EDITOR,   STATESMAN  AND   POLITICAL   ECONOMIST. 


The  name  of  this  eminent  journalist  gives  rise  to 
emotion  of  both  pleasure  and  sadness;  the  first,  from  the 
many,  very  many  occasions  within  the  past  twenty-five 
years  that  the  author  has  met  him  while  engaged  in  the 
same  profession,  and  sadness,  because,  our  friend  has  passed 
from  the  scenes  of  former  triumphs  and  usefulness  to  the 
beyond  while  yet  in  years  of  manhood's  prime,  whilst 
so  much  is  yet  to  be  accomplished. 

Enoch  Emery  was  born  at  Canterbury,  New  Hamp- 
shire, August  31,  1822,  the  fifteenth  child  of  a  family  of 
sixteen  children  born  to  Nathan  Emery  and  wife,  of  that 
village.  Enoch,  from  quite  a  lad,  possessed  the  gift  of  a 
versatility  of  talent,  and  at  an  early  age  was  thrown  upon  his 
own  resources,  which  gave  him  a  checkered  experience  at 
the  outset  of  life,  but  were  only  those  experienced  by  hun- 
dreds of  others  in  entering  on  the  realities  that  are  to  be 
encountered  before  success  is  accomplished. 

The  record  he  hands  down  to  us  shows  persistence  in 
overcoming  obstacles  and  difficulties.  He  was  a  canal  boat- 
man, as  Lincoln  was  a  flat-boatman  and  Garfield  a  driver- 
boy  on  the  canal.  After  this  he  went  to  Boston,  c  ;l  he-ring 
experience  and  ideas  from  the  crowds  that  came  and  went 
at  a  restaurant.  He  then  went  to  Lowell  and  was  pro- 
moted to  a  clerkship  in  a  hotel.  His  leisure  was  spent  in 


472  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

« 

varied  reading  that  early  developed  a  literary  talent,  and 
he  wrote  some  fugitive  sketches  for  the  papers  that  attracted 
attention.  He  wrote  a  story  in  competition  for  a  prize  — 
which  was  the  best  that  was  written, —  but  did  not  draw 
the  money,  it  being  understood  in  advance  who  would  draw 
the  prize.  But  the  story  was  published  and  attracted 
marked  attention.  Finally  he  was  employed  on  the 
editorial  staff  of  the  paper,  but  the  field  was  not  large 
enough  for  him,  and  he  set  up  for  himself,  establishing  the 
American  Citizen.  In  this  way  he  could  best  show  his 
individuality.  But  finding  the  east  to  be  too  much  of  a 
"pent  up  Utica"  for  the  expanding  powers  of  his  mind  and 
genius,  he  came  west  in  the  spring  of  1858,  and  wishing  to 
show  "what  he  knew  about  farming,"  he  spent  the  summer 
of  1858  on  a  farm  in  Macon  county.  That  was  the  "  wet 
year,"  and  his  labor  was  almost  in  vain;  "  the  rains  de- 
scended, the  floods  came,"  the  farming  land  was  a  quag- 
mire, and  the  crop  was  scarcely  worth  the  gathering. 

It  was  while  passing  down  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad 
on  the  way  to  the  State  Fair  at  Centralia  that  the  author 
first  met  Mr.  Emery.  It  was  the  year  big  with  events. 
•"  There  were  giants  in  those  days," —  the  year  of  the  mem- 
orable canvass  of  Lincoln  and  Douglas  so  often  referred 
to  in  these  pages.  Politicians  were  all  agog,  and  the  people 
of  the  state  had  almost  all  turned  politicians.  Mr.  Emery 
was  going  to  the  fair  with  thousands  of  others.  He  was 
full  of  the  subject  that  engrossed  everybody  —  politics.  So 
was  every  passenger  on  the  train, —  the  author  among  the 
rest.  Most  naturally  we  fell  into  conversation,  and  "  a 
fellow-feeling  made  us  wondrous  kind,"  and  the  political 
situation  was  talked  over  more  than  a  failure  of  the  crops. 
But  arriving  at  the  Fair,  amid  the  exciting  scenes  of  many 


HON.   ENOCH    EMERY.  473 

thousand  people,  he  took  in  the  sights  of  a  western  agricul- 
tural show  for  the  first  time,  heard  the  a  Old  Ranger " 
make  a  speech  defending  Buchanan  and  denouncing 
Douglas, —  altogether  it  was  quite  an  excit:ng  time,  and 
Emery  probably  for  the  first  time  took  in  this  phase  of 
western  life.  He  returned  to  his  farm,  and  shortly  after 
"  had  a  call"  to  join  his  brother  in  assisting  to  conduct  the 
railroad  hotel  and  eating  house  at  Chenoa.  While  doing 
this  he  was  corresponding, —  writing  for  the  papers,  and 
was  offered  a  position  on  the  Chicago  Tribune,  but  he  did 
not  accept.  Nathan  Geer,  then  the  publisher  of  the 
TRANSCRIPT  at  Peoria,  secured  him  as  a  local  writer  on 
that  paper,  and  he  filled  the  position  with  marked  accept- 
ance. 

In  July,  1860,  Mr.  Emery  and  Edward  A.  Andrews 
became  the  proprietors  of  the  Transcript,  and  new  life  was 
infused  into  it  by  the  vigorous  editorials  of  the  new  editor- 
in-chief.  The  war  came  on  and  the  paper  flourished 
because  it  advocated  the  cause  of  the  loyal  masses  and  the 
soldiers  in  the  field.  As  we  are  writing  general  history  it 
is  not  our  province,  nor  have  we  the  space  to  speak  of  all 
of  Mr.  Emery's  business  arrangements  with  others.  It  is 
his  marked  characteristics  that  we  wish  to  record  in  these 
"  Recollections,"  so  they  can  be  transmitted  down  through 
these  historical  pages,  not  as  the  partisan  but  as  the  man  — 
the  patriot. 

A  contemporary  brings  out  some  of  the  strong  points 
in  Mr.  Emery's  character.  It  says : 

"  He  put  his  whole  soul  in  his  work.  It  was  a  labor  of 
love  with  him.  A  man  of  firm  convictions,  when  he  became 
•convinced  he  was  right  there  was  no  power  to  swerve  him 
from  what  he  believed  to  be  his  duty.  He  worked  inces- 


474  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

santly  for  his  political  convictions.  In  the  canvass  he  was- 
always  busy,  he  had  abounding  and  unfaltering  faith,  was 
unselfish,  and  eschewed  all  thoughts  of  pecuniary  gain, 
lending  every  energy  to  the  consuraation  of  the  end  in  view." 

The  Call)  the  leading  literary  paper  of  Illinois,  gives 
this  just  estimate  of  Mr.  Emery's  leading  characteristics. 

"  His  leading  characteristic  was  that  he  had  opinions  of 
his  own,  and  had  the  manhood  to  assert  them,  cost  what  it 
might.  He  took  his  position  squarely  upon  an  issue  and 
fought  it  out  on  that  line.  Men  knew  always  where  to  find 
him.  To  his  friends,  and  to  principles  in  which  he  believed, 
he  was  as  loyal  as  truth  itself.  To  principles  which  seemed 
to  him  untrue,  he  was  a  vigorous  opposer,  and  in  all  this 
there  was  a  manner  that  one  could  but  admire.  He  fought 
a  square  fight,  and  threw  himself  into  the  conflict  with  all 
his  admirable  power  at  high  pressure.  Politically,  he  was  a 
great  power,  and  many  are  the  reminiscences  of  the  able  work 
he  did.  Socially,  he  was  a  host  in  himself.  Possessed  of 
a  brilliant  mind,  drilled  by  long  discipline  in  private  study 
and  social  converse,  he  was  a  charming  talker  and  the  life  of 
any  circle  in  which  he  was  thrown.  Quick  at  repartee,  apt, 
witty,  and  fond  of  a  joke,  few  could  equal  him  in  passing  a 
pleasant  hour  at  table  or  in  the  parlor.  He  had  a  great 
fondness  for  literature,  a  quick  judge  of  the  merits  of 
authors  or  of  books.  His  literary  tastes  were  of  a  high 
order,  and  the  finest  expressions  of  pathos  or  sentiment 
found  in  him  an  ardent  admirer." 

Of  Mr.  Emery  as  a  writer  it  can  be  said  his  claims  rest 
on  the  solid  basis  of  real  excellence,  with  a  delicate  sense 
of  just  what  was  proper  to  say  on  the  subject  matter  in 
hand,  a  style  easy  and  familiar,  making  what  he  wrote  a 
vehicle  of  instruction,  suited  to  correct  error,  throw  light 
on  ignorance,  ridicule  vice,  augment  and  purify  the  moral 
feeling,  refine  the  taste  with  his  lively  fancy,  briefly  and 
tersely  expressed,  by  original  ideas  in  appropriate  words. 


HON.    ENOCH    EMERY.  475 

He  was  eminently  just  with,  the  men  with  whom  he 
acted  in  political  life.  This  justice  was  tempered  with  out- 
spoken candor,  as  it  was  some  times  necessary  to  criticise 
the  action  of  his  co-workers,  which  was  always  done 
frankly  and  fearlessly,  they  in  almost  every  case  acknowl- 
edging the  justness  of  his  motives  in  the  exceptions  taken 
to  their  course,  even  if  they  were  not  convinced  of  their 
error. 

In   his  editorial   experience,  taking  in  the    contest  of 
1860  and  the  whole  period  of  the  rebellion,  with  the  after 
years  of  reconstruction,  under  the  recalcitrancy  of  Johnson, 
the  contests  of  1868,  '72,  '76,  and  '80,  he  stood  at  the  helm 
assisting  to    direct  the   ebb    and    flow  of  popular  feeling, 
understanding  the  hidden  mechanism  by  which  parties  are 
moved,  these  matters  necessarily  being  the  subject  of  con- 
stant thought  and  of  familiar  every-day  conversation,  fitting 
him  more  fully  for  the   place  he  filled  as  editor-in-chief  of 
the  leading  journal  of  Northern-Central  Illinois.     In  this 
more  than  a  score  of  years,  he  devoted  time,  talent,  money, 
and    reputation    to    political  work,  showing   the   practical 
working   of  the    government    in    subordinating    men    and 
events  to  the  advancement  of  principles  that  he  believed,  if 
carried  out,  would  promote  the  best  interests  of  the  people. 
This  long  experience,  close  study,  and  means  of  knowledge 
at  his  command,  gave  him  an   intimate  knowledge  of  the 
complex  relations,  both  state  and  federal,  of  our  form  of 
government,  enabling  him  to  have  an  inside  view  of  public 
affairs  and  public  men.     The  public  only  saw  the  outside, 
and  many  times,  indeed,  the  two  sides  were  very  different. 
This  whole   time    he  was   ap    active    participant,  saw    the 
secret  springs  and   hidden    machinery  by  which   men   and 
parties    were    to    be    moved    and    measures    promoted    or 


476  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

thwarted,  as  was  dictated  by  lofty  patriotism  arid  honest 
ambition  to  promote  the  public  good. 

His  political  opponents  thought  that  at  times  he  was 
unnecessarily  harsh  in  his  judgments  and  severe  in  his  criti- 
cisms, but  he  wrote  as  he  believed,  in  the  spirit  of  truth, 
only  saying  what  was  necessary  to  give  a  clear  exposition 
of  his  views. 

His  animosities  were  ever  directed  to  bringing  out  the 
good  points  of  those  with  whom  he  differed.  To  do  this  it 
was  necessary  for  him  to  expose  the  points  he  deemed  them 
wrong  in.  His  editorial  ambition  was  to  be  clear  in  state- 
ment, reliable  as  to  facts,  candid  in  conclusions,  just  in  his 
views,  frank  with  political  friend  or  foe,  in  which  judg- 
ment we  believe  his  cotemporaries  and  posterity  will  con- 
cur. 

He  was  favored  by  official  appointments  quite  fre- 
quently. In  1865  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  of  Peoria 
by  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  was  removed  by  Johnson  for  refusing 
to  endorse  his  policy.  In  1869,  he  was  appointed  Collector 
of  Internal  Revenue  by  President  Grant,  and  held  the 
office  two  years.  He  was  frequently  a  member  of  the  City 
Council  and  of  the  County  Board  of  Supervisors,  always  a 
vigorous  worker  and  looking  closely  to  the  interests  of  the 
people. 

In  1880  he  was  supported  by  the  Peoria  County  dele- 
gation and  by  some  others  for  nomination  as  a  candidate 
for  Congress,  but  the  Knox  and  Fulton  delegation  were 
more  united,  and  finally  Hon.  John  H.  Lewis  was  nomi- 
nated, who  was  elected  and  served  very  acceptably. 

Mr.  Emery  was  twice  manried.  He  first  married  Miss 
Mary  Sargent  Moon,  who  died  after  his  removal  to  Peoria. 


HON.   ENOCH    EMERY.  477 

In  1877,  he  married  Miss  Mary  W.  Whitesides,  then 
County  Superintendent  of  Schools,  and  one  child  is  the 
result  of  this  union,  a  bright,  active  boy,  named  Philip 
Enoch.  He  performed  other  literary  work  besides  his  edi- 
torial duties*  He  wrote  three  books,  "  Emery's  Compen- 
dium of  Facts  "  and  "  The  Smugglers,"  afterwards  drama- 
tized as  u  The  Brotherhood  of  the  Border"  or,  "  Gipsy 
Secret,"  and  "  Myself." 


MARK  M.  AIKEN. 

PIONEER,   EDITOR  AND   PUBLISHER. 

One  of  the  noted  and  most  respected  citizens  of  Peoria, 
•devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  city  and  the  promotion  of 
sound  principles  in  both  religion  and  politics,  the  best 
known  citizen-of  the  county,  and  among  the  oldest  surviv- 
ing, is  Mark  M.  Aiken,  born  at  Deering,  Hillsboro  county, 
N.  H.,  June  21st,  1808.  He  is  the  son  and  eldest  child  of 
Nathaniel  and  Susanna  Maria  Aiken.  He  is  from  North 
of  Ireland  stock,  his  original  emigrating  to  America  in 
1719,  settling  at  Londonderry,  New  Hampshire.  Mr.  Aiken 
is  a  second  cousin  of  Horace  Greeley  and  in  his  youthful 
days  received  a  common  school  education  at  the  same 
school  where  attended  Parker  Pillsbury,  a  man  who  has 
made  his  mark  in  the  literary  and  religious  world. 

Mark,  possessing  an  enterprising  disposition,  a  business 
turn  of  mind,  turned  his  attention  to  business  when  yet 
only  a  youth.  Armed  with  testimonials  of  his  correct 
habits  he  went  to  New  York  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  A  ma- 
ternal uncle  was  so  impressed  with  the  boy's  capacity  for 
business  that  he  introduced  him  to  the  Harper  Bros.,  who 
were  so  well  pleased  with  his  spirit  and  pluck  that  they 
gave  him  an  opportunity  to  learn  the  business.  He  stayed 
with  them  until  his  twenty -second  year,  boarding  with  John 
Harper,  one  of  the  members  of  that  extraordinary  firm. 
His  health  failing  they  fitted  him  out  with  a  lot  of  books 


MARK    M.    AIKEN.  479 


and  sent  him  to  Charleston,  8.  C.  He  sold  the  books  at 
satisfactory  prices,  his  health  was  improved  and  he  returned. 
In  1832  he  started  a  job  printing  office  in  New  York,  and 
finding  his  remote  relation,  Horace  Greeley,  about  this  time, 
they  went  into  a  kind  of  limited  partnership.  Aiken  did 
the  office  work  and  Greeley  looked  up  the  business  outside. 
This  business  continued  one  year.  They  then  divided  the 
stock,  Greeley  taking  part  and  S.  D.  Childs,  Mark's  brother- 
in-law,  taking  the  other  part.  Then  young  Aiken  tramped 
west.  He  took  a  lot  of  medical  books  from  Prof.  A.  Sid- 
ney Doane,  of  the  New  York  Medical  College,  and  started 
out,  stopping  at  leading  places  and  cities  to  sell  the  works. 
He  came  to  Pittsburg,  there  taking  a  steamer  came  to  St. 
Louis  He  stopped  but  a  short  time  there,  but  the  fame  of 
the  Military  Tract  Country  called  him  to  wish  to  see  it. 
He  had  acquired  patents  for  two  or  three  tracts  of  land  in 
payment  for  work  while  running  the  job  office,  and  he 
wanted  to  see  what  kind  of  land  its  was.  Others  had  em- 
ployed him  to  look  after  their  landed  interests,  and  before 
he  was  aware  of  it  he  was  a  real  estate  dealer.  He  arrived 
by  steamer  at  Peoria  October  28,  1833,  and  has  been  a  resi- 
dent and  substantial  citizen  ever  since.  He  engaged  in 
business  alone  for  the  first  three  years,  and  in  1836  formed 
a  co-partnership  with  the  late  Geo.  C.  JBestor. 

This  arrangement  continued  for  four  years  and  proved 
satisfactory.  After  the  expiration  of  his  term  with  Mr. 
Bestor  he  always  conducted  his  business  alone.  He  hss 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  educational  matters,  and  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  city's  financial  prosperity.  He  has  been 
school  inspector,  commissioner  for  opening  new  streets,  con- 
demning property  for  public  purposes,  assessor  at  an  early 
day,  internal  revenue  inspector,  and  in  recent  years  has 


480  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

filled  the  position  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  health. 
Ever  since  he  came  to  the  state  and  up  to  the  war  he  was  a 
radical  anti-slavery  man,  acting  with  the  abolitionists  until 
the  organization  of  the  republican  party.  Mr.  Aiken  is 
now  in  his  seventy-fifth  year,  and  his  mental  faculties  are 
unimpaired.  Always  a  lover  of  liberty,  he  contributed  to 
"  aid  the  oppressed  and  let  them  go  free,"  even  before  the 
war,  and"  his  benevolence  is  known  far  and  wide.  He  aided 
early  church  building  in  Peoria  by  donations  of  lots  on 
which  to  build  them.  He  has  always  been  willing  to  aid  all 
who  would  help  themselves.  He  has  sage  and  wise  coun- 
sels to  give  with  financial  aid  to  the  deserving,  and  is 
known  as  guide,  counselor  and  friend  to  multitudes  since 
his  advent  in  Peoria  fifty  years  ago. 


HON.  ANDREW  SHUMAN. 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF  CHICAGO   DAILY   JOURNAL, 

The  American  people  live  in  an  atmosphere  of  intel- 
lectual freedom  that  gives  play  to  choice  of  profession  or 
occupation  according  to  the  capacity  or  inclination  of  its 
citizens.  Here  is  exhibited  a  wide  field  for  inventive 
genius,  whether  the  outgoing  desires  be  in  the  direction  of 
intellectual  culture  or  for  an  active  or  sedentary  life.  This 
field  for  choice  is  well  illustrated  in  the  person  and  pro- 
fession of  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

Hon.  Andrew  Shuman,  ex-Lieutenant  Governor,  was- 
born  November  8th,  1830,  in  Lancaster  County,  Penn. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  only  seven  years  old  and  he 
was  left  to  the  care  of  an  uncle,  who  could  give  him  but 
limited  educational  advantages;  but  they  were  well  im- 
proved, and  when  he  had  attained  his  fourteenth  year  he 
was  placed  in  a  drug  store  to  learn  the  business,  but  seems 
not  to  have  liked  the  business.  It  did  not  give  scope  to 
his  literary  desires,  *the  yearnings  of  his  young  nature  for 
books  and  newspapers  for  obtaining  knowledge.  So  his 
term  was  short  as  a  compounder  of  drugs. 

When  he  was  fifteen  years  old  he  entered  the  office  of 
the   Lancaster    Union  and  Sentinel,  and   here  made   rapid 
advances  in  word-making  by  the  skillful  manipulation  of 
the  type.      In  1846  he  went  with  his  employer  to  Auburn, 
New  York,  and  was  engaged  in  the  office  of  the  Advertiser,  ' 
31 


482  FIFTY    YEARS     RECOLLECTIONS. 

and  made  such  progress  in  acquiring  a  perfect  knowledge  of 
the  business  that  on  the  attainment  of  his  eighteenth  year 
he  established  a  small  literary  paper,  the  Auburnian,  per- 
forming all  the  work  himself.  This  seems  to  have  been  a 
very  good  school  for  the  attainment  of  practical  knowledge, 
which  was  impressed  on  him  the  more  as  he  found  out  that 
financially  it  could  not  be  made  to  pay.  So  at  the  end  of 
the  year  the  enterprise  was  given  up,  but  he  had  gained 
useful  knowledge,  acquired  some  fame,  lost  some  money, 
and  valuable  time,  but  the  experience  was  a  treasure  to 
draw  on  for  future  business.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he 
entered  the  office  of  the  Cayuga  Chief,  at  Auburn,  as  a  part- 
ner, but  soon  withdrew,  and  finding  that  this,  his  chosen 
field  of  labor,  would  probably  be  his  life  work,  and  feeling 
the  necessity  of  a  more  thorough  preparation,  he  entered 
Hamilton  College  in  his  twenty-first  year,  earning  the 
money  to  pay  his  tuition  and  other  expenses  by  working  at 
the  printing  business  during  vacation.  During  his  junior 
year  at  college  he  accepted  the  editorial  chair  of  the, Daily 
Journal  at  Syracuse  at  the  urgent  request  of  the  friends  of 
the  late  Gov.  Seward.  Here  he  served  for  near  four  years, 
finishing  his  college  studies,  and  feeling  that  he  was  now 
prepared  for  a  wider  field  of  labor.  Obeying  Greeley's 
injunction,  "  Go  west,  young  man,"  he  came  to  Chicago 
in  1856,  and  was  at  once  given  scope  and  play  for  his 
genius  as  assistant  editor  of  the  Chicago  Daily  Journal, 
where  he  is  to-day,  having  served  as  probationary  assis- 
tant for  five  years,  during  the  exciting  years  of  1858  and 
1860,  aiding  in  the  great  result  of  those  years.  He  was 
promoted  in  1861  to  the  chair  of  editor-in-chief,  assuming 
the  full  direction  of  the  paper.  He  was  elected  in  1864 
to  the  Commissionership  of  the  Illinois  Penitentiary  at 


HON.    ANDREW    SHUMAN.  483 

Joliet,  and  held  the  office  till  1871,  then  declining  to  take 
the  office  longer,  he  gave  his  exclusive  attention  to  his  edi- 
torial duties  for  the  next  five  years. 

In  1876,  he  was  elected  as  Lieutenant  Governor  of  the 
state  on  the  Republican  state  ticket,  receiving  over  22,000 
majority.  As  presiding  officer  of  the  senate  he  was  very 
popular,  and  on  retiring  received  the  unanimous  thanks  of 
the  senate  for  his  fairness  and  [impartiality  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties.  On  retiring  from  office  he  became  the  part- 
ner of  John  R.  Wilson  in  publishing  the  Journal,  and  has 
since  bought  a  half  interest,  controlling  the  policy  of  the 
paper  and  adding  much  to  its  former  circulation  and  use- 
fulness. 

Mr.  Shuman,  now  in  his  53d  year,  just  in  the  full  en- 
joyment of  his  brilliant  mental  powers,  has  the  best  of 
health,  and  bids  fair  to  be  the  presiding  genius  in  his 
chosen  field  of  labor  for  many  years  to  come. 


HON.  WELKER  GIVEN. 


EDITOR-IN-CHIEF   OF   THE  PEORIA  TRANSCRIPT. 


Welker  Given,  who  so  successfully  and  satisfactorily 
filled  the  editorial  chair  of  the  Transcript  during  1881,  was 
born  at  Millersburg,  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  May  17th, 
1853,  and  came  from  a  family  somewhat  prominent  in  public 
affairs,  and  was  from  his  early  youth  familiar  with  matters 
of  public  interest.  He  was  named  for  an  uncle — Judge 
Welker,  now  United  States  District  Judge  in,  Ohio,  .who 
served  six  years  in  Congress  and  was  lieutenant-governor  of 
Ohio,  elected  on  the  same  ticket  with  Salmon  P.  Chase. 
The  father  of  Welker  Given,  Brig.-Gen.  Given  in  the  late 
war,  is  now  circuit  judge  of  the  Des  Moines  District,  Iowa. 

In  early  childhood  Welker  was  in  delicate  health,  so 
much  so  that  he  could  not  attend  school  as  other  boys  at 
his  age.  Such  education  as  he  received  at  that  early  age 
was  at  home.  He  was  early  introduced  to  public  affairs, 
and  in  the  war  accompanied  his  father  to  the  front  when  he 
was  a  mere  child,  was  under  fire  at  Stone  River  when  only 
ten  years  old,  noticed  the  order  and  regularity  of  business 
in  his  father's  quarters,  and  official  etiquette  and  courtesies, 
the  forms  and  rules  of  business  in  official  papers,  orders  to 
officers,  etc. 

At  twelve  years  of  age  he  served  as  page  in  the  Ohio 
Senate,  and  became  interested  in  politics  and  legislation, 
and  at  that  early  age  did  some  reporting  for  the  papers, 


HON.    WELKER   GIVEN.  485 

principally  paragraphical  and  sometimes  personals  on  the 
members,  laconic  squibs  and  reflections  on  legislation,  some 
of  these  appearing  as  editorial  matter  in  the  Ohio  State 
Journal.  After  the  war  his  father  was  appointed  deputy 
•commissioner  of  internal  revenue  at  Washington,  and 
Welker  accompanied  the  family  to  that  city,  where  he 
resided  several  years.  During  these  years  he  was  a  student 
at  Columbian  College,  and  advanced  rapidly  in  his  studies, 
at  leisure  times  contributed  articles  to  the  press,  attended 
many  of  the  famous  debates  in  Congress,  and  became  ac- 
quainted with  many  prominent  men.  This  wide  range  of 
literary  life  gave  him  a  varied  experience  with  men,  and  the 
subjects  that  were  brought  to  his  attention  embraced  all  the 
questions  of  the  day,  past,  present,  and  prospective. 

In  1872  he  removed  with  his  father's  family  to  Des 
Moines,  Iowa.  A  trouble  with  the  eyesight  kept  him  out 
of  active  business  for  several  years.  With  restored  health 
he  entered  his  chosen  profession  of  journalism,  beginning 
at  the  bottom  of  the  ladder. 

He  commenced  as  reporter  on  the  Des  Moines  Register, 
and  was  advanced  from  one  position  to  another  until  he  had 
held  every  editorial  position  on  the  paper,  including  editor- 
in-chief  when  the  regular  chief  was  absent.  His  editorial 
labors  had  brought  him  before  the  people,  and  his  services 
were  required  in  the  political  field  —  on  the  stump.  He 
made  many  speeches  in  the  campaign  of  1876  that  gave  him 
a  reputation  which  has  increased  with  the  years.  He  has 
engaged  actively  in  nearly  every  important  canvass  since. 
His  varied  talent  has  procured  him  invitations  to  make  ad- 
dresses before  literary  societies,  decoration  and  Fourth  of 
July  patriotic  occasions  commemorative  of  past  achieve- 
ment and  patriotism  and  the  future  greatness  of  our  country. 


486  FIFTY  TEAKS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

He  was  also  in  request  for  social  occasions  and  re-unions  in 
response  to  sentiments. 

In  1879  he  was  appointed  by  the  Republican  State 
Committee  as  their  secretary,  and  in  1880  was  editor-in- 
chief  of  the  Iowa  City  Daily  Republican,  and  left  that  posi- 
tion to  succeed  the  late  Enoch  Emery  as  editor-in-chief  of 
the  Transcript,  and  the  people  of  this  state  know  with  what 
ability  and  faithfulness  he  gave  his  talents  to  that  work. 
It  was  while  he  was  engaged  on  that  paper  that  the  author 
became  acquainted  with  Welker  Given.  In  his  sanctum, 
at  his  editorial  labors,  we  remember  with  fresh  distinctness, 
his  quiet  bearing  and  friendly  greeting,  his  mild  geniality, 
showing  a  delicate  discrimination  as  to  the  subjects  he  chose 
to  converse  upon.  He  assumed  no  scholastic  superiority, 
though  he  possessed  it,  and  it  was  through  the  columns  of 
the  paper  that  he  showed  the  depth,  power,  and  broadness 
of  sweep  of  the  intellect  that  fulminated  the  trenchant 
editorials  that  appeared  daily  in  the  paper. 

Mr.  Given  was  so  unobtrusive  and  undemonstrative  in 
his  personal  intercourse  that  he  made  but  a  limited  personal 
acquaintance  in  Peoria,  but  wherever  the  Transcript  circu- 
lated and  was  read  there  he  was  appreciated  for  the  manful- 
ness  and  nobleness  of  his  sentiments. 

But  his  Iowa  friends,  among  whom  he  had  labored  in 
the  council  and  the  field,  pressed  their  claims  on  him  so 
persistently  to  return  that  he  concluded  to  do  so  at  the  end 
of  the  year.  He  left  the  Transcript  against  the  most  per- 
sistent urging  of  the  manager  to  retain  his  place.  He  was 
called  to  the  position  of  acting  editor-in-chief  of  the  Daily 
Register,  Des  Moines,  the  leading  paper  of  the  state.  In 
the  campaign  of  1881  he  wrote  an  editorial  for  the  Register 
which  was  afterwards  published  separately  and  circulated  as 


HON.    WELKER   GIVEN.  487 


a  campaign  document.  In  January,  1882,  on  the  accession 
of  Gov.  Sherman,  he  was  appointed  private  secretary  to  the 
governor,  without  any  knowledge  that  the  appointment  was 
to  be  made,  and  only  accepted  when  strongly  urged  to  do  so. 
Mr.  Given  has  studied  law,  but  never  with  a  view  of  prac- 
ticing, only  as  an  adjunct  to  his  editorial  duties,  these  re- 
quiring that  he  discuss  constitutional  and  law  questions 
when  they  are  presented. 

In  the  line  of  his  editorial  duties  he  has  written  legal 
arguments  that  have  been  accepted  by  counsel  without 
changing  a  syllable,  and  which,  on  their  application  to  the 
case  argued,  secured  the  reversal  of  important  cases  in  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Iowa.  Outside  of  his  editorial  leaders 
he  has  published  articles  in  Eastern  magazines  anonymously, 
that  have  attracted  marked  attention. 

He  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  his  labors  as  a 
journalist  have  always  been  to  unite  and  strengthen  the 
party  on  the  plane  of  its  best  sentiment  and  the  moral  ap- 
proval of  the  best  class  of  people.  This  was  his  endeavor 
while  in  Peoria. 

Mr.  Given  has  had  advantages  of  position,  but  not  of 
wealth,  and  his  successful  career  as  a  journalist  will  assure 
other  young  men  that  equally  strict  application,  closeness 
of  study  and  observation,  will  assure  as  great  success  to 
them. 

Since  the  above  was  written  Mr.  Given  has  accepted  an 
offer  to  return  to  the  editoral  chair  of  the  Transcript  under 
a  permanent  engagement.  He  entered  upon  his  duties  May 
1st,  1883. 


HON.  ROBERT  T.  CASSELL. 


PIONEER  AND  LEGISLATOR. 


Among  the  early  pioneers  of  Woodford  county  "  that 
was  known  and  read  of  all  men,"  was  a  young  Kentuckian 
that  all  the  people  delighted  to  honor  as  "  Bob  "  Cassell, 
just  as  the  pioneers  of  Sangamon  county  delighted  to  call 
the  inimitable  Lincoln  "  Abe."  Young  Cassell  was  known 
far  and  near,  over  ten  counties ;  perhaps  more  for  his  jovial 
disposition,  genial  conversational  powers,  frankness  of 
manner  —  at  times  approaching  brusqueness. 

He  was  born  at  Lexington,  'Kentucky,  October  26, 
1816,  where  he  resided  until  the  spring  of  1831,  when  his 
father  moved  with  his  family  to  Jacksonville,  this  state, 
where  Robert  T.  finished  his  common  school  education,  he 
attending  during  the  years  until  about  twenty  years  old. 
•"  Bob,"  early  in  life,  was  quite  a  cavalier  among  the  young 
ladies,  inheriting  the  true  Kentucky  gallantry,  and  in  1835 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Butler,  of  Saugamon 
county,  a  sister  of  Hon.  William  Butler,  afterward  elected 
State  Treasurer  on  the  Republican  ticket  in  1860.  The 
fruit  of  this  marriage,  one  son,  William  J.  Cassell,  born  in 
1837,  who  still  resides  at  Metamora.  The  same  year  his 
young  wife  died  in  Sangamon  county,  mourned  by  her 
youthful  husband  and  many  friends;  dear  to  all  for  her 
gentle  ways  and  many  virtues. 

In  1835  his  father  died,  leaving  a  large  tract  of  land 
in  the  territory,  now  Woodford  county  (then  Tazewell). 


HON.    ROBERT   T.    CASSELL.  489 

Young  Cassell,  in  settling  his  father's  estate,  visited  that 
portion  of  the  State  frequently,  and  while  here,  as  usual, 
he  looked  with  favor  on  one  with  whom  in  future  years  he 
enjoyed  rare  connubial  happiness.  He  was  married  again 
to  Miss  Rebecca  A.  Perry  in  1839,  and  to  them  was  born 
seven  children,  three  boys  and  four  girls, —  his  sons,  Judge 
Joseph  J.  Cassell  (see  sketch),  Frank  Cassell  and  Martin 
H.  Cassell,  the  latter  now  Postmaster  at  El  Paso. 

Mr.  Cassell  read  law  in  the  office  of  Captain  Edward 
Jones  of  Pekin,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1851,  and 
has  practiced  law  in  Woodford  and  adjoining  counties 
until  the  present  time.  In  1874  his  wife  died  at  Eureka. 
In  1866,  he  was  elected  to  the  House  on  the  Republican 
ticket,  the  district  composed  of  the  counties  of  Woodford, 
Marshall,  Bureau  and  Putnam,  and  made  a  good  record  as 
a  legislator.  In  1868  he  was  appointed  United  States 
Special  Agent,  making  his  home  most  of  the  time  at 
Chicago  and  Philadelphia.  After  holding  this  office  a  lit- 
tle over  two  years  he  resigned. 

He  formed  a  law  partnership  with  Henry  Grove  of 
Peoria,  who  was  a  very  successful  practitioner.  This  con- 
nection lasted  six  years  and  was  very  successful.  After  it 
was  closed  Mr.  Cassell  formed  a  partnership  with  E.  C. 
and  R.  G.  Ingersoll,  the  firm  known  as  Ingersoll,  Cassell 
and  Harper,  and  continued  for  six  years.  Daring  the 
years  before  the  war  Mr.  Cassell  was  busy  looking  after 
his  real  estate  matters,  and  held  some  official  positions,  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace  from  1850  to  1860.  He  has  resided 
in  Metamora,  Eureka  and  El  Paso,  and  now  resides  with 
his  son  William  at  Metamora,  and  still  practices  his  pro- 
fession, and  now,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age,  enjoying  fair, 
good  health. 


HON.  ALSON  S.  SHERMAN. 

EX-MAYOR,  AND  ONE  OF  CHICAGO'S  FIRST  PIONEERS. 

Alson  Smith  Sherman,  born  April  21,  1811,  in  Barrer 
Washington  county,  Vermont.  His  father,  Nathaniel 
Sherman,  and  mother,  Deborah  Webster,  were  descended 
from  the  old  New  England  stock  of  the  Shermans  and  the 
Websters  that  were  such  stalwart  patriots  in  the  revolution. 
Alson  grew  up  with  but  the  ordinary  means  of  education, 
and  learned  the  architect  and  builder's  trade  for  a  business. 
He  was  married  February  26,  1833,  to  Miss  Aurora  Abbott, 
in  Vermont,  and  removed  to  Chicago  in  November,  1836, 
where  there  was  a  wide  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  energies 
and  enterprising  disposition.  He  immediately  engaged  in 
the  business  of  supplying  building  material,  stone  and  lime, 
and  with  this  engaging  in  contracting.  His  powers  of  con- 
ducting and  managing  large  enterprises  gave  him  a  wide 
acquaintance,  which  spread  over  the  city  and  country  as  the 
people  increased  from  the  thousands  of  emigration  each 
year.  As  his  acquaintance  enlarged  so  did  his  influence 
increase. 

As  soon  as  Chicago  organized  a  city  government  he 
was  called  into  her  council,  and  was  for  some  time  chief 
of  the  fire  department.  Was  elected  mayor  of  the  city  two 
terms  in  succession,  1844-45,  and  after  these  terms  expired, 
was  .elected  the  first  water  commissioner  under  the  act  of 
legislature  authorizing  the  erection  of  water  works.  When 


HON.    ALSON    S.    SHERMAN.  491 

the  canal  was  building  he  did  all  he  could  to  push  it  through 
to  completion,  and  in  anticipation  of  the  event  he  built 
some  canal  boats  to  navigate  it,  and  one  of  his  boats  was 
the  first  to  enter  the  lock  to  take  a  departure  down  the 
"raging  waters.7'  He  opened  stone  quarries  at  Lemont, 
and  built  the  first  boat  to  freight  stone  from  the  quarry  into 
the  city.  His  extensive  stone  quarries  made  it  necessary 
for  him  to  shape  the  stone  for  fitting  into  the  building,  and 
he  built  the  first  mill  for  sawing  stone  in  the  city,  and  also 
is  supposed  to  be  the  first  one  in  the  state.  He  brought 
from  his  quarries  the  first  boat-load  of  stone  ever  brought 
to  the  city  of  Chicago.  In  connection  with  his  stone  busi- 
ness he  established  the  first  marble  works  in  the  city,  and 
made  the  first  marble  mantle  ever  manufactured  in  Chicago. 
Built  the  first  patent  lime  kiln  (called  a  draw  kiln)  ever 
erected  in  the  city,  and  cut  the  first  building  front  from  the 
Lemont  stone  ever  carved  for  a  Chicago  house  of  that 
mater  id. 

In  writing  us  in  regard  to  the  early  progress  of  Chicago 
he  says :  "  You  will  percieve  that  I  am  largely  entitled  to 
the  name  of  Pioneer  in  many  things."  Mr.  Sherman  is  a 
man  of  FIRST  PRINCIPLES,  first  in  good  works  and  good 
deeds,  not  a  selfish  streak  about  him.  It  was  on  one  of  his 
canal  boats  that  the  author  shipped  his  first  load  of  wheat 
from  Lacon  to  Chicago,  and  for  a  return  cargo  the  same 
boat  brought  back  the  pioneer  load  of  lumber,  when  he  es- 
tablished the  lumber  business  there  in  1848,  soon  after 
opening  the  canal.  Accompanying  that  boat  load  of  wheat 
through  the  canal  was  our  first  experience  in  canal  naviga- 
tion, and  our  distinct  recollection  is  that  the  atmosphere 
was  cloudy,  with  musquitoes  of  "  improved  variety  "  for  size 
and  capacity  for  blood  sucking.  But  we  survived  them,  got 


492  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

through  safely,  discharged  our  FIRST  boat  load  of  wheat 
and  loaded  up  our  FIRST  load  of  lumber  on  one  of  Sher- 
man's boats,  the  first  one  built  for  use  on  the  canal,  a  well 
connected  string  of  coincidences  throughout.  And  this  was 
not  all.  He  is  to-day,  after  all  these  years,  enjoying  a 
green  old  age,  and  with  his  good  wife  Aurora,  Feb.  26, 1883, 
enjoyed  their  FIRST  golden  wedding  at  Waukegan,  where 
he  resides.  Numerous  old  friends  from  Chicago  and  other 
parts  of  the  state  and  at  Waukegan  calling  to  congratulate 
the  old  pioneer,  who  still  holds  FIRST  place  in  the  affections 
of  his  family,  his  friends,  and  the  younger  generation  now 
following  after  them.  From  the  commencement  of  our  ac- 
quaintance early  in  1848,  to  the  present  time,  we  have 
known  him  in  business,  in  his  relations  of  friendship  and  in 
his  family,  and  always  found  him  FIRST  in  all  the  virtues 
that  enable  and  the  friendships  that  hold  like  hooks  of  steel 
to  those  whom  years  of  acquaintance  have  proved  true. 


S$-  Ye  a   -  •=       Old. 

HENRY  SHIMER,  A.  M.,  M.  D. 

MOUNT  CARROLL    ILLINOIS. 


HENEY  SHIMEE,  A.M.,  M.  D. 

PROFESSOR  OF  MATHEMATICS,  NATURAL  SCIENCES  AND 
PHYSICIAN. 

If  devotion  to  science,  pursued  with  all  the  ardor  of  an 
enthusiast  scaling  its  rugged  heights,  following  it  in  its  sub- 
terranean depths,  investigating  the  habits  of  animal  and 
insect  life,  then  patiently  mastering  the  principles  of  two  or 
more  of  the  leading  professions,  giving  attention  to  each, 
will  give  rank  and  position  to  the  individual,  then,  indeed, 
has  it  been  earned  by  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch. 

Henry  Shimer  was  born  at  West  Vincent,  Chester 
county  Pa.,  Sept.  28, 1828,  and  experienced  the  usual  rugged 
labor  of  farm  life  that  attaches  to  the  occupation,  going 
to  school  in  winters;  when  grown  to  sufficient  strength,  he 
varied  his  occupation  by  working  at  the  mason  trade.  In 
this  manner  he  grew  up  strong  and  self-reliant,  studious 
when  at  school,  constant  in  his  labors  on  the  farm  or  hand- 
ling the  trowel.  When  arrived  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
engaged  in  teaching  winters.  In  this  manner  his  time  past 
until  his  twenty-sixth  year,  when  in  March,  1854,  he 
started  west,  and  arrived  at  Mount  Carroll,  the  scene  of  his 
future  triumphs  and  successes.  He  possessed  an  investiga- 
ting turn  of  mind  and  there  was  ample  field  before  him  to 
gratify  his  love  of  study,  and  he  found  it  by  the  wayside, 
in  the  hills  and  mountains,  on  the  broad  prairies,  in  the 
orchards  and  groves,  among  the  animals  and  feathered 


494 

tribes,  the  fishes  in  the  streams,  and  the  minerals  and  rocks 
under  and  on  the  earth, —  all  these  were  his  study,  which  he 
patiently  pursued. 

His  exploring  trips  extended  from  Minnesota  to  Texas, 
and  to  the  western  frontiers,  on  two  different  occasions 
traveling  over  one  thousand  miles  on  foot,  taking  his  time, 
examining  the  country  carefully.  Besides  these  extended 
trips  he  has  •taken  four  others  over  three  hundred  miles 
each,  all  on  foot,  and  numberless  lesser  excursions  in  the 
interest  of  science,  in  which  he  examined  the  country  care- 
fully, stopping  at  times  to  ply  his  trade,  wielding  the 
plummet  and  trowel;  his  travels  altogether  not  being  much 
short  of  5,000  miles. 

After  spending  about  four  years  in  this  practical  way 
he  returned  to  Mount  Carroll  and  engaged  in  teaching  in 
the  seminary,  pursuing  his  studies  of  mathematics,  natural 
sciences  and  medicine,  finally  graduating  at  the  Chicago 
Medical  College,  March  1,  1866,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  engaged  in  the  study  and  practice  of  medicine,  lectur- 
ing on  and  teaching  natural  sciences  in  the  seminary.! 

The  doctor  is  an  enthusiast  in  all  he  undertakes,  and  a 
close  student,  devoting  the  time  which  most  men  less  ardent 
would  require  for  rest  in  reading,  study  and  experiment. 
He  has  a  large  and  growing  practice.  We  have  listened  to 
his  lectures  before  the  Illinois  State  Horticultural  Society 
at  tlieir  meetings  at  Rockford  and  other  places,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  entomology,  and  for  some  time  he  filled  the  position 
of  State  Entomologist. 

His  favorite  sciences,  besides  his  chosen  profession  of 
medicine,  are  geology,  mineralogy,  ornithology,  entomology 
and  botany.  He  is  an  expert  as  a  taxidermist,  has  over 
one  thousand  mounted  specimens  of  birds  found  in  Illinois 


HENRY    SHIMER,  A.M.,  M.D.  495 

and  this  climate,  with  quite  a  collection  of  rare  ones  from 
foreign  lands  and  the  southern  and  eastern  states. 

His  collection  of  geological,  mineral,  entomological  and 
botanical  specimens  are  very  fine,  which  are  all  referred  to 
in  our  descriptive  sketch  of  Mount  Carroll  Seminary  and 
of  the  labors  and  enterprise  of  Mrs.  Francis  A.  Wood 
Shimer,  its  founder. 

He  was  married  to  Miss  Francis  A.  Wood  December 
22,  1857,  and  has  since  constituted  one  of  the  board  of 
instruction  in  that  institution,  teaching  classes  in  mathe- 
matics and  lecturing  on  his  favorite  sciences. 


498 

Nebraska  editors  of  the  state  with  a  view  to  consultation 
and  devising  a  general  line  of  policy. 

The  convention  met  February  21,  1856.  Among  those 
present  were  Dr.  Charles  H.  Ray,  of  the  Chicago  Tribune; 
Geo.  Schneider,  of  Staats  Zeitung,  Chicago  ;  O.  P.  Wharton, 
Rock  Island  Advertiser;  T.  J.  Pickett,  Peoria  Republican; 
V.  Y.  Ralston,  Quincy  Whig;  B.  F.  Shaw,  "Dixon  Tele- 
graph; W.  J.  Usrey,  Decatur  Chronicle;  A.  N.  Ford,  Illinois 
GAZETTE,  Lacon;  Charles  Faxon,  Princeton  Post.  Paul 
Selby  presided.  Resolutions  were  adopted  recommending 
the  holding  of  a  state  convention  at  Bloomington,  May 
29th,  following,  for  the  purpose  of  state  organization,  and 
a  state  central  committee  to  carry  this  recommendation 
into  effect  was  appointed. 

The  Bloomington  convention  was  called,  and  put  in 
nomination  a  full  state  ticket,  led  by  Col.  Bissell  for  gover- 
nor, which  was  elected  the  following  November. 

In  the  spring  of  1859  Mr.  Selby  removed  to  Springfield, 
where  he  spent  the  next  summer,  and  prepared  a  review  of 
the  Matteson  canal  scrip  fraud,  %  which  was  published  in 
pamphlet  form  and  widely  circulated  throughout  the  state, 
exciting  no  small  influence  in  the  politics  of  the  state  in  the 
next  few  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1859  he  accepted  the  invitation  to  teach  a 
school  for  boys  at  Plaquemine,  La.,  and  removed  south  with 
his  family,  consisting  of  wife  and  daughters.  Taught  one 
year,  then  accepted  the  principalship  of  a  collegiate  insti- 
tution for  boys  and  girls,  at  Amite,  La.  This  year  norther- 
ners in  the  south  were  subjected  to  suspicion,  but  although 
Mr.  Selby  was  the  object  of  some  violent  threats  on  account 
of  his  opinions,  and  anti-slavery  sentiments,  he  was  not 
disturbed. 


HON.    PAUL   SELBY.  499 


In  June,  1861,  the  term  of  his  institution  closed,  being 
satisfied  that  he  and  his  family  could  not  remain  much 
longer  south  in  safety,  he  sold  what  property  he  could,  and 
packing  the  remainder  and  shipping  it  to  a  friend  at  Plaque- 
mine,  on  the  evening  of  July  3d,  1861,  he  left  New  Orleans 
for  the  north,  via  Canton,  Miss.,  Jackson,  Tenn.,  and 
Columbus,  Ky.,  arriving  at  Springfield  on  the  morning  of 
July  6th.  He  met  with  no  serious  difficulty  on  the  way, 
though  many  refugees  were  subjected  to  great  trouble  and 
loss.  Going  to  Cairo  soon  after  he  took  a  position  in  con- 
nection with  one  of  the  military  offices,  which  he  retained 
until  the  next  spring. 

He  returned  to  Springfield  July  1,  1862,  and  accepted 
the  position  of  associate  editor  on  the  staff  of  the  Illinois 
State  Journal,  which  he  retained  until  November,  1865, 
after  the  close  of  the  war. 

In  November,  1865,  his  wife  having  died,  he  accepted 
an  offer  of  a  position  in  the  custom  house  at  New  Orleans, 
and  in  June  following  returned  north,  and  after  a  few 
weeks'  vacation  accepted  a  place  as  writing  editor  on  the 
Chicago  Evening  Journal,  which  he  soon  relinquished  to  ac- 
cept one  on  the  Republican,  then  under  the  management  of 
Smith,  Denslow  &  Ballantyne,  and  starting  out  with  pros-  ' 
pects  very  flattering.  After  remaining  with  the  Republican 
some  eighteen  months  he  went  to  Quincy  and  accepted  a 
position  on  the  Whig,  owned  by  Phillips  &  Bailache,  and 
remained  there  until  January  1,  1874. 

In  1874  he  returned  to  Springfield  and  assumed  his  old 
place  on  the  Journal,  which  he  has  ever  since  retained.  In 
the  summer  of  1880  D.  L.  Phillips,  Mr.  Selby's  former  as- 
sociate on  the  Journal,  and  from  1877  postmaster  at  Spring- 


500  FIFTY   YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

field,  died,  and  Mr.  Selby  was  appointed  postmaster,  enter- 
tering  upon  his  duties  July  4th,  1880. 

Mr.  Selby  has  been  married  twice,  first  in  1858,  to  Miss 
Erra  A.  Post,  of  Jacksonville,  who  died  in  November, 
1865,  then  he  married  a  second  time  in  December,  1870,  to 
Mrs.  Mary  J.  Hitchcock,  of  Quincy.  By  his  first  wife  two 
children  were  born  to  him,  daughters,  both  of  whom  survive. 
By  his  second  marriage  he  had  two  children,  son  and 
daughter,  both  dying  in  infancy. 


CHARLES  M.  EAMES. 


JACKSONVILLE  DAILY  JOURNAL. 

Charles  M.  Eames  was  born  at  Jacksonville,  November 
6th,  1845,  son  of  T.  Dwight  and  A.  M.  Eames,  of  that  city. 
He  early  entered  the  schools,  but  from  the  fact  of  having 
delicate  health  never  completed  his  education  fully.  He 
entered  the  freshman  class  of  the  Illinois  College  in  Sep- 
tember, 1863,  and  did  his  first  journalistic  work  as  a 
county  fair  reporter  in  October,  1866,  and  was  the  Jackson- 
ville reporter  for  the  Chicago  Republican  and  Springfield 
Journal  in  1868,  and  later  in  the  same  year  was  city  editor 
of  the  Quincy  Whig  for  six  months.  After  practicing  the 
journalistic  profession  he  for  a  while  gave  it  up  and  en- 
gaged in  the  wholesale  and  retail  book  and  stationery  busi- 
ness in  Jacksonville  for  eight  years. 

In  1876  he  bought  Horace  Chapin's  half  interest  in  the 
Daily  and  Weekly  Journal,  and  in  1878  bought  the  other 
half  interest  of  M.  F.  Simmons,  and  filled  succcessively 
the  positions  of  city  editor,  news  editor,  political  editor  and 
business  manager.  At  present  he  is  sole  proprietor  and 
managing  editor,  devoting  most  of  his  time  to  the  business. 
He  was  married  November  14,  1876,  to  Carrie  M.  Hall,  of 
Wallingford,  Conn.,  and  three  children  have  been  the  result 
of  this  marriage. 

Mr.  Eames  is  active  in  sustaining  the  benevolent  efforts 
of  the  following  orders:  He  became  an  Odd  Fellow  in 


502  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

1868,  a  Good  Templar  in  1866,  a  Mason  in  1871,  a  Knight 
Templar  in  1881,  and  a  Royal  Templar  of  Temperance  in 
1880.  He  gave  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Grant  in 
1868,  and  voted  for  every  republican  candidate  since.  In 
1880  he  was  a  member  of  the  republican  city,  county,  state 
and  national  conventions,  and  in  the  latter  voted  with  the 
"306."  Mr.  Eames  is  very  active  in  all  the  religious  and 
benevolent  works  of  the  churches ;  was  a  delegate  to  the 
Presbytery,  Synod  and  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  with  which  denomination  he  has  been  since 
1863.  He  has  been  Ruling  Elder  since  1879,  and  Sunday 
School  Superintendent  since  1871,  State  Sunday  School 
Statistician  Secretary  from  1880-82,  and  District  Sunday 
School  President  for  four  years. 

For  a  man  that  does  not  enjoy  first-class  health  Mr. 
Eames  performs  an  immense  amount  of  labor,  so  many 
duties  requiring  his  attention  that  he  is  obliged  to  economize 
his  time  very  closely  to  fill  all  the  responsibilities  he  has 
assumed! 


ENOCH  P.  SLOAN. 


PIONEER  EDITOR  AND  FAITHFUL  OFFICIAL. 


Steadiness  and  consistency  to  principle  is  one  of  the 
cardinal  virtues,  and  when  exemplified  practically  in  life 
will  always  command  respect  and  attention. 

Enoch  P.  Sloan  was  born  at  Cambridge,  Dorchester 
County,  Maryland,  January  22,  1822.  His  father  died 
when  he  was  but  one  year  old,  and  his  mother  when  he  was 
but  five  years  old,  and  he  was  left  to  the  care  of  his  oldest 
sister,  who  was  married  to  John  S.  Zieber,  who  resided  at 
Princess  Ann,  Somerset  County.  In  this  brother-in-law's 
family  he  was  kindly  cared  for,  and  given  an  opportunity 
to  attend  the  few  terms  of  school  that  offered  up  to  enter- 
ing his  eleventh  year.  He  then  entered  Mr.  Zieber's 
printing  office  to  learn  the  business,  and  when  he  came  to 
Peoria  in  the  fall  of  1839,  Mr.  Sloan,  then  in  his  eighteenth 
year,  came  with  him  and  continued  work  in  Mr.  -Zieber's 
office,  who  had  established  the  Democratic  Press,  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  arranged  with  Mr. 
Zieber  to  assist  in  conducting  his  paper,  and  continued  to 
do  so  till  1846,  when  he  sold  to  Thomas  Phillips  from 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  Mr.  Sloan  still  continuing  to  assist  the  new 
proprietor.  In  1849  Washington  Cockle  bought  the 
paper,  and  Mr.  Sloan  continued  his  connection  with  the 
paper  until  1851,  when  he  bought  the  establishment  of 
Mr.  Cockle,  and  thus  after  twelve  years7  connection  with 


504  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  paper  became  the  proprietor,  still  continuing  to  ad- 
vocate the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  the 
election  of  Franklin  Pierce  to  the  Presidency  in  1852  over 
General  Scott.  He  did  faithful  and  efficient  service  to 
the  party  for  the  next  five  years,  when  they  called  him  "  to 
come  up  higher,"  and  in  the  fall  of  1856  he  was  elected 
Circuit  Clerk  of  the  county,  and  again  re-elected  in  1860, 
his  term  of  office  expiring  in  December,  1864. 

In  the  war  of  the  rebellion  he  was  a  Douglas  democrat, 
sustaining  the  government  in  the  efforts  made  to  raise  men 
and  money  for  its  vigorous  prosecution.  For  this  zeal  he 
suffered  political  ostracism  from  many  of  the  leading  men 
of  the  democratic  party  in  the  county  and  state,  but  he  was 
true  to  the  Union,  and  sustained  the  policy  of  the  govern- 
ment that  ended  the  war  in  1865.  Mr.  Sloan  wrote  much 
during  the  war  in  the  advocacy  of  a  vigorous  policy  to 
<jlose  it. 

On  retiring  from  office  Mr.  Sloan  was  admitted  to  the 
bar,  having  given  all  his  leisure  time  to  the  study  of  law 
during  his  term  of  office.  The  real  estate  laws  of  the  state 
more  particularly  engaged  his  attention,  and  while  he  was 
circuit  clerk  he  found  that  a  large  part  of  the  real  estate 
litigation  in  Peoria  county  arose  from  the  conflicting  titles 
of  claimants  under  the  old  French  grants.  This  deter- 
mined him  to  give  special  attention  to  this  branch  of  the 
legal  business.  He  also  compiled  a  most  complete  abstract 
of  titles  of  all  the  lands  in  the  city,  which  enables  him  to 
trace  titles  on  the  shortest  notice,  and  almost  his  entire  law 
business  has  been  relating  to  real  estate. 

He  has  also  given  a  great  deal  of  his  time  and  talent  to 
literary  matters,  not  forgetting  his  old  editorial  experience. 
He  was  an  active  participant  as  a  contributor  to  various 


ENOCH    P.    SLOAN.  505 


publications  in  the  interest  of  temperance  and  good  morals, 
aiding  by  contributions  T.  H.  Van  Court  in  publishing  the 
Temperance  Advocate. 

The  interests  and  welfare  of  the  city  of  his  adoption  has 
received  his  earnest  attention  ever  since  he  was  identified 
with  her  growth.  He  has  served  several  terms  in  the  city 
council,  always,  from  his  intimate  knowledge  of  public 
affairs,  being  called  to  take  a  leading  part.  Educational 
matters  have  always  received  his  careful  attention.  He  has 
been  elected  to  serve  on  the  board  of  education  for  several 
terms,  and  the  thorough  course  adopted  bears  the  impress  of 
his  shaping  genius. 

In  the  last  few  years  Mr.  Sloan  has  given  a  great  deal 
of  time  and  thought  to  reformatory  work  in  promoting  the 
great  temperance  cause  that  has  demanded  the  attention  of 
philanthropists  in  reforming  the  inebriate,  and  preventing 
the  spread  of  intemperance  in  our  country.  He  has  zeal- 
ously co-operated  with  all  the  organizations  and  individuals 
having  these  objects  in  view,  and  by  speech  and  pen  has 
sought  to  influence  public  opinion  on  this  most  important 
public  question.  He  has  delivered  unanswerable  argu- 
ments on  the  legal  points  involved  in  the  question,  main- 
taining the  rights  of  the  people  to  the  full  control  of  the 
question,  and  in  the  exercise  of  that  power  to  prohibit  the 
manufacture  and  traffic  in  all  intoxicating  beverages. 

Mr.  Sloan  is  now  in  his  sixty -second  year,  is  well  pre- 
served in  health,  his  intellectual  powers  equal  in  vigor  to 
his  palmiest  days,  gives  his  business  earnest  attention,  but 
finds  time  to  devote  to  his  books  and  literary  enjoyment, 
and  bids  fair  to  enjoy  many  years  of  usefulness  to  himself 
.and  the  country. 


GEORGE  BURT  JR. 

PROPRIETOR,  PUBLISHER  AND  EDITOR  HENRY  REPUBLICAN. 


George  Bart,  Jr.,  was  born  March  29,  1836,  at  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut,  and  moved  with  his  family  to  Henry  in 
May,  1846.  Learned  the  printer's  art  in  the  Free  Trader's 
office,  Ottawa,  and  Journal  office,  LaSalle,  Illinois.  After 
this  he  worked  in  the  best  newspaper  and  book  offices  in 
Peoria,  Syracuse,  New  York,  Rochester,  New  York  City ; 
Hartford,  Connecticut;  Springfield,  Massachusetts;  Provi- 
dence, Rhode  Island.  He  located  in  Henry,  purchased  the 
Republican  office  in  September,  1865,  of  which  he  has  been 
sole  proprietor  and  editor  to  the  present  time.  He  has  a 
power  press,  owns  his  own  buildings,  has  a  complete  office, 
newspaper  and  job  presses,  all  propelled  by  steam.  Mr. 
Burt  is  from  regular  Yankee  stock,  his  father,  George  Burt, 
Sr.,  was  long  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Marshall 
county,  and  from  the  time  he  came  to  that  portion  of  that 
county  we  were  well  acquainted  with  him  until  business 
called  us  to  duties  elsewhere. 


HENRY  A.  FORD. 


HISTORIAN,  EDUCATOR  AND    PUBLISHER. 

Among  the  young  workers  and  toilers  in  ascending  the 
mount  of  literary  fame  at  an  early  day,  coming  under  our 
own  observation,  was  the  subject  of  our  present  sketch. 

Henry  A.  Ford  was  born  in  Ithica,  New  York,  Sept.  25, 
1835,  came  to  Illinois  in  his  infancy,  his  father  being  the 
pioneer  publisher  and  editor  of  the  Lacon  Herald,  afterwards 
the  ILLINOIS  GAZETTE.    Henry  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  at  Lacon,  afterwards  attending  the  Henry  Academy, 
Walnut  Grove  Academy,  (now  Eureka  College)  and  finished 
his  education  at  Amherst  College,  and  afterward  taking  a 
law  course  at  Michigan  University,  when  he  went  to  teach- 
ing as  one  of  the  Faculty  in   Kalamazoo  Commercial  Col- 
lege, and  when  his  engagement  ceased  there,  he  removed  to 
Niles,   Berrien  county,  Michigan,  and  was  at  once  elected 
superintendent  of  schools  of  that  county.     While  engaged 
in  educational  work  in  Michigan,  published  the   Michigan 
Teacher,  and  Northern  Indiana  Teacher.  In  1866  he  published 
Ford's  History  of  Putnam  and  Marshall  counties,  Illinois, 
a  work  valued  very  highly  by  the  old  settlers  of  these  two 
counties,  and  in  the  years  since  then  has  been  engaged  in 
general  literary  work  over  a  wide  field.     We  might  say  in 
passing  that  he  was  connected  with  one  of  the  Michigan 
regiments  in   the  war  of  the  rebellion,  we  believe  the  cap- 
tain of  a  company. 


508  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Although  raised  and  reared  in  Illinois,  his  early  educa- 
tion and  his  first  editorial  labors  done  here,  yet  a  large 
portion  of  his  educational  and  literary  work  has  been  done 
in  other  states.  He  has  been  on  the  editorial  staff  of  the 
Illinois  Gazette,  Kalamazoo  Telegraph,  South  Bend  (Ind.) 
Register,  Cleveland  Leader,  and  now  engaged  on  the  edi- 
torial staff  of  the  Detroit  Evening  News,  and  in  general, 
historical  and  literary  work  that  will  be  given  to  the  world 
when  his  labors  are  completed.  For  general  historical 
knowledge  Mr.  Ford  has  few  of  any  superiors.  He  and 
his  wife,  Mrs.  Kate  Brearley  Ford,  compiled  the  u  History 
of  Cincinnati  and  Hamilton  County,"  "  History  of  Louis- 
ville and  Counties  about  the  Falls  of  the  Ohio/7  Kentucky; 
"History  of  Penobscott  County/7  Maine,  and  edited  a  vol- 
ume of  sermons,  "  In  Memoriam/7  delivered  by  Rev.  \V. 
T.  Higgins,  and  a  volume  of  sermons  "To  young  men.77 

He  has  just  issued  a  volume,  *'  The  Poems  of  History/7 
a  work  of  rare  literary  merit.  In  literary  work  Mr.  Ford 
is  a  life  toiler,  and  we  only  regret  that  his  sketch  came  to 
hand  so  late  that  we  cannot  give  the  amount  and  extent  of 
his  labors  a  more  extended  and  detailed  notice,  particularly 
his  army  experiences.  He  was  as  a  youth,  studious,  and 
possessed  a  mature  mind  while  yet  a  boy,  assisting  his 
father  in  the  typographical  labor  of  his  printing  office,  and 
when  very  youthful  wrote  well,  and  was  an  excellent  com- 
positor. 


PIONEEKS. 
WILLIAMSON  DURLEY. 

PIONEER,  MERCHANT,  FARMER   AND  FAITHFUL   OFFICIAL. 


WITH  THE   AUTHOR'S  INTRODUCTORY. 

In  visiting  the  scenes  of  former  years,  before  entering 
on  the  preparation  of  this  work,  to  compare  recollections 
with  the  old  pioneers,  we  enlisted  thq  services  of  our  and 
fathers'  old  friend,  Williamson  Durley,  to  write  us  a  sketch 
of  his  eventful  life,  which  will  be  all  the  more  interesting 
because  given  in  his  own  language. 

When  at  Hennepin  we  looked  over  some  of  the  old 
tomes  in  the  records  of  the  past,  now  filed  away  in  the 
musty  receptacles  of  the  circuit  clerk's  office.  Capt.  Jeff 
Durley,  the  present  efficient  circuit  clerk,  in  charge,  a 
younger  brother  of  Williamson,  the  writer  of  our  sketch. 
The  Captain  has  a  war  record  that  will  be  given  in  volume 
II,  is  now  about  60  years  of  age,  and  has  quite  a  patriarchal 
head  in  its  flowing  whiteness.  The  first  time  we  visited 
Hennepin  was  in  April,  1836,  when  just  past  18  years  old, 
to  testify  in  a  suit  pending  between  the  Wauhob  heirs  and 
Virgil  Lancaster.  Thomas  Ford  was  the  presiding  judge, 
Oaks  Turner,  circuit  clerk.  Judge  'John  D.  Caton  was 
Wauhob's  counsel,  and  Ira  I.  Fenn  one  of  the  counsel  for 


510  FIFTY    YEARS7    RECOLLECTIONS. 

Lancaster.  On  the  way  to  court,  staid  all  night  at  Hart's, 
about  three  miles  south  of  Hennepin,  one  of  the  old  pioneer 
families,  the  old  people  excellent  folks,  but  some  of  the 
boys  bore  a  very  hard  name  at  the  time.  But  to  Mr. 
Durley's  history : 

"  Williamson  Durley  was  born  in  Caldwell  County, 
Kentucky,  in  January,  1810.  My  father  moved  with  his 
family  from  Kentucky  to  Sangamon  County,  Illinois,  in 
1829. 

u  The  first  settlements  made  by  the  whites  had  only 
been  made  two  years  before  that  time,  and  we  had  to  under- 
go many  privations  in  the  early  settlement  of  the  country. 
The  first  year  my  father  had  to  go  seventy  miles  to  mill. 
The  first  year  after  the  settlement  of  the  country  the  In- 
dians came  among  us  to  hunt  in  the  fall  and  winter,  but 
were  friendly.  I  lived  with  my  father  and  mother  on  the 
farm  until  I  was  twenty-one  years  old.  My  opportunities 
for  getting  an  education  were  very  limited,  as  we  had  no 
organized  system  of  education  in  those  times.  Our  school 
houses  were  built  (when  we  had  any)  by  the  neighborhood 
joining  together  and  cutting  logs  and  hauling  them  together 
and  building  a  log  house,  covering  it  with  clapboards  with 
poles  laid  on  the  boards  to  hold  them  to  their  place.  The 
floor  was  made  of  split  puncheons  hewed  on  one  side,  and 
and  the  seats  were  made  (without  backs)  out  of  a  proper- 
sized  tree,  split  in  two  pieces,  with  one  side  hewed  and 
legs  put  in  them.  And  when  a  man  came  along  where 
there  was  a  place  to  keep  (the  word  keep  being  used  instead 
of  teach)  school,  (it  was  not  thought  then  that  women 
could  keep  school),  he  went  around  the  neighborhood  with 
a  subscription  paper  to  see  how  many  scholars  he  could  get 
signed  to  send  to  school,  each  scholar  to  pay  a  stipulated 
sum  for  a  time  named.  The  qualification  required  of  the 
teacher  was  that  he  should  be  able  to  write  his  own  sub- 
scription paper.  The  above  described  schools  were  the 
only  kind  we  had  in 'the  early  settlements  of  Illinois.  I 
never  went  to  any  other  kind  of  schools.  In  the  first  set- 


WILLIAMSON    DURLEY.  511 

tlement  of  Sangamon  County  people  made  their  calculation 
on  having  the  fever  and  ague  in  the  fall  of  the  year. 

"  In  the  winter  of  1831  I  left  my  father  to  work  for 
myself,  and  got  employment  in  a  store  in  Springfield  at 
ten  dollars  per  month  and  board.  I  worked  there  six 
months  and  then  volunteered  as  a  soldier  in  the  Black 
Hawk  war  of  1831,  under  the  command  of  General  Dun- 
can, rendezvoused  at  Rushville,  Illinois.  Sixteen  hundred 
mounted  riflemen  marched  from  there  to  Rock  Island 
through  a  country  entirely  uninhabited.  We  remained 
only  a  few  days.  During  that  time  a  treaty  of  peace  was 
made  with  the  Indians,  and  then  we  returned  to  Spring- 
field and  were  discharged  in  July,  1831. 

"  I  settled  in  Putnam  County,  Illinois,  August  8th, 
1831,  and  opened  a  small  variety  store  opposite  the  mouth 
of  Bureau  Creek  in  a  log  cabin,  on  the  eighth  day  of 
August,  1831,  in  company  with  my  uncle,  James  Durley. 

"The  county  seat  having  been  established  in  May,  1831, 
at  what  is  now  called  Hennepin,  on  congress  land,  the 
county  court  entered  the  land  at  $1.25  per  acre  and  laid  out 
the  town.  The  first  sale  of  lots  was  made  in  September 
1831,  at  which  time  James  Durley  and  myself  bought  a 
town  lot,  and  having  built  a  house  upon  it  moved  our  store 
there  in  November,  1831.  In  1832  the  Indian  war  broke 
out  again,  and  we  all  had  to  gather  into  forts  or  block- 
houses, which  caused  great  suffering  among  many  families, 
some  being  killed  by  the  Indians,  others  losing  their  crops. 
But  peace  was  made  in  the  fall  of  1832,  and  the  country 
commenced  settling  again.  I  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Winters,  late  of  Miami  county,  Ohio,  on  the  second  day  of 
December,  1834,  and  we  have  lived  happily  together  since 
that  time  up  to  the  writing  of  this,  November,  1882. 

"  In  1836  Putnam  county  embraced  nearly  all  the  ter- 
ritory now  composing  the  counties  of  Putnam,  Bureau, 
Stark  and  Marshall.  At  that  early  day  there  were  schemes 
of  dismemberment  dividing  the  county,  and  this  sectional 
question  was  paramount  to  everything  else.  State  and 


512  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

national  politics  cut  no  figure  when  it  came  to  be  compared 
to  a  future  county  line  or  a  prospective  county  seat. 

"To  protect  her  interests  in  the  legislature,  Hennepin 
placed  in  nomination  Thomas  Atwater,  a  leading  lawyer  of 
the  place,  and  on  general  principles,  other  parts  of  this 
broad  extent  of  territory  placed  in  nomination  Col.  John 
Strawn,  the  largest  farmer  in  the  county,  to  represent  their 
interests.  Both  were  democrats,  so  the  fight  was  purely  sec- 
tional and  personal,  conducted  in  a  friendly  social  way.  The 
candidates  treated  '  the  boys/  Col.  Strawn  making  a  personal 
canvass  over  the  district,  asking  the  people  to  come  and  see 
him  and  '  eat  peaches/  adding  the '  spiritual  influences '  where 
'  they  would  do  the  most  good.'  The  colonel  was  the  military 
commandant.  It  was  his  pride  that  year  to  '  call  out  the 
troops.'  He  commenced  the  canvass  early.  The  latter  part 
of  March,  1836,  by  a  military  order  he  called  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  Fortieth  Regiment,  Fourth  Brigade,  First 
Division  of  Illinois  Militia  together  for  exercise  and  drill, 
to  meet  at  Hennepin.  They  met,  but  there  were  more 
officers  than  privates  present,  and  in  the  forenoon  the  colo- 
nel held  officer's  drill,  dismissing  them  with  the  order  to 
assemble  again  at  2  p.  m.,  sharp,  on  the  street  in  front  of 
Burnham's  grocery  store  for  general  parade  and  drill.  At 
that  time  quite  a  crowd  came  together,  the  colonel  in  full 
regimentals  and  flowing  spirits,  ordered  everybody  to  fall 
into  line,  (boys  and  old  men  included),  complimented  them 
on  their  soldierly  appearance,  with  some  reference  to  the 
BLACK  HAWK  WAR,  and  other  recitals  of  what  they  had 
done  for  their  country.  When  he  had  reached  this  point 
two  men  came  from  the  grocery  store  bearing  pails  of  sweet- 
ened whisky ;  started  along  the  lines  distributing  from  tin 
cups,  with  patriotic  exhortations  from  the  colonel  to  '  drink 
and  be  merry,'  with  other  encouraging  assurances  that  the 
prospects  for  his  election  were  good. 

In  this  year,  1836,  I  sold  out  my  stoje,  and  in  March, 
1837,  moved  on  to  my  farm  where  I  lived  forty-five  years, 
within  two  miles  of  Hennepin,  engaged  in  farming.  From 
1840  to  1846,  I  was  also  engaged  in  mercantile  business. 


WILLIAMSON    DURLEY.  513 

Since  which  time  I  have  devoted  more  of  my  time  to  farm- 
ing. In  1841  I  was  elected  one  of  the  county  commis- 
sioners of  Putnam  county,  and  served  in  succession  eleven 
years. 

"  In  September,  1862,  I  was  appointed  United  States 
Assistant  Revenue  Assessor  for  Putnam  county,  and  served 
four  years  and  resigned.  I  can  say  that  in  all  my  transac- 
tions with  men  I  have  tried  to  act  honestly,  and  have  a 
hope  to  live  with  the  Lord  when  called  from  this  existence." 

WILLIAMSON  DURLEY. 


BISHOP  HILL  COLONY. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCH   OF   OLOF  JOHNSON. 


National  characteristics  —  Moral  and  religious  character  —  Re- 
ligious persecution  —  Mr.  Jansson  killed  —  One -common  in- 
terest—  Poverty  and  sickness  —  Cholera  breaks  out  among 
them  —  Beginning  of  prosperity  —  Broom  corn  production  — 
Great  success  —  OLOF  JOHNSON  —  His  skill  as  a  business 
manager  —  Nativity,  birth  and  marriage  —  Rapid  growth  and 
business  prosperity  of  Galva  —  The  commercial  business  of 
the  colonists  —  Wild  cat  currency  —  Western  Exchange  bank 

—  The  bills  printed  but  never  issued  —  Financial  crash  of 
1857  —  American  Central  Railway  —  Personal   retrospection 

—  The  colonists'  real  and  personal  estate  apportioned  —  Their 
individual    prosperity  —  Extent   of    their   former    estate  — 
Their  loyalty  —  Their  numbers  in  the  state  — Mr.  Johnson 
dies  —  His  family. 

In  our  social  and  business  intercourse  with  communities 
and  nationalities  in  this  state,  perhaps  the  most  pleasurable 
to  our  remembrance  comes  up  the  settlement  of  the  Swedish 
community  in  Henry  county,  known  to  the  country  as  the 
"Bishop  Hill  Colony,"  and  in  justice  to  the  wide  influence 
that  nationality  has  exercised  on  the  morals,  the  politics, 
and  the  business  and  social  relations  of  the  state  we  propose 
to  devote  a  chapter  of  our  "  Recollections  "  to  this  deserv- 
ing element  in  our  prosperity. 

The  easy  facility  with  which  the  Scandinavian  nation- 
alities conform  themselves  to  the  genius  of  our  institutions, 
their  moral  and  law-abiding  training  before  coming  to  our 


BISHOP    HILL    COLONY.  515 

shores,  make  them  the  most  desirable  people,  next  to  native- 
born  citizens,  to  claim  permanent  citizenship  and  identi- 
fying themselves  with  all  our  great  interests,  financial, 
moral,  political  and  social. 

Statistically  we  find  by  referring  to  the  best  authority 
that  prior  to  1846  there  was  not  more  than  twenty-five  to 
fifty  citizens  of  Swedish  nationality  scattered  at  different 
points  over  the  state.  The  founders  of  this  widely  known 
and  desirable  foreign  element  came  to  Henry  county  in  the 
fall  of  1846,  and  like  our  own  pilgrim  fathers,  had  left  their 
own  native  shores  because  they  were  denied  the  privilege  of 
worshipping  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own 
conscience.  The  colony  numbered  at  first  about  eight  hun- 
dred, and  were  under  the  leadership  of  Eric  Jansson 
(father  of  Capt.  Eric  Johnson,  of  Galva),  who  was  mur- 
dered in  1850,  by  an  adventurer  by  the  name  of  Roof,  who 
had  found  a  temporary  home  in  the  colony,  and  had  mar- 
ried a  cousin  of  Miss  Jansson. 

The  religious  tenets  and  beliefs  of  Mr.  Jansson  and  his 
followers  were  not  originally  communistic,  but  when  they 
faced  the  stern  necessity  of  fleeing  from  religious  persecu- 
tion they  found  but  few  of  their  number  were  possessed  of 
worldly  lucre,  and  the  majority  poor  and  without  the  means 
of  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  journey  across  the  ocean 
and  thence  to  their  new  home.  It  was  then  that  a  burning 
religious  zeal  and  enthusiasm  suggested  the  plan  and  induced 
those  who  possessed  the  wealth  to  place  their  individual 
means  in  a  common  fund,  in  order  that  all  who  were  one  in 
Christ,  according  to  their  religious  belief,  should  be  trans- 
ported to  their  place  of  refuge  in  the  new  world,  where  per- 
secution for  conscience  sake  was  unknown. 

After  these  religious  emigrants  had  arrived  and  pitched 


516  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

their  tents  on  our  fertile  prairies,  the  same  necessity  com- 
pelled them  to  continue  as  one  family,  to  provide  for  and 
assist  each  other,  and  it  did  not  take  many  weeks  before 
they  were  all  on  a  common  level  so  far  as  money  and  this 
world's  goods  are  concerned.  This  common  fund  was  ex- 
hausted, and  it  was  only  by  united  efforts,  labor  and  toil 
that  they  could  manage  to  exist,  which  at  that  day  was  not 
so  easily  done  as  now,  because  there  were  no  convenient 
market  for  the  products  of  their  soil. 

Owing  to  lack  of  houses  and  the  crowded  condition  in 
which  they  lived,  unaccustomed  to  the  climate  and  food, 
the  colonists  suffered  severely  from  sickness,  and  their 
ranks  were  decimated  by  death.  To  add  to  the  discourage- 
ment of  climatic  disease,  and  make  their  isolation  and 
desolation  more  complete,  the  Asiatic  cholera  broke  out 
among  them  in  1849,  and  its  ravages  took  away  one  hund- 
red and  forty -three  during  that -year.  In  1850  the  colonists 
having  become  more  acclimated,  and  built  better  houses, 
they  enjoyed  better  health  than  any  year  since  they  settled, 
which  greatly  encouraged  them.  In  1851  they  resolved  on 
a  mixed  cultivation  of  products,  something  that  was  more 
light  in  weight  and  more  valuable  in  the  market.  They 
decided  to  plant  a  great  part  of  their  farms  to  broom-corn, 
and  become  the  pioneers  of  this  industry  in  the  state,  that 
since  then  has  brought  them  so  much  wealth,  and  not  only 
them,  but  in  every  part  of  the  west  where  this  industry  has 
been  intelligently  organized,  it  has  enriched  the  farmers. 
This  experiment  proved  so  satisfactory  that  in  1852  a  con- 
tract was  entered  into  with  Messrs.  Dougal  &  Co.,  of  Peoria, 
for  the  raising  of  broom  corn  a  term  of  years  at  $50  per 
ton.  A.  M.  'Davenport  was  sent  to  instruct  the  colonists 
in  the  mystery  of  raising,  curing  and  preparing  the  product 
for  market. 


BISHOP    HILL    COLONY.  §17 

This  new  industry  became  the  means  of  lifting  the  col- 
ony out  of  financial  embarrassment,  and  placed  them 
on  the  high  road  to  wealth  and  affluence.  The  number  of 
acres  planted  increased  from  year  to  year,  and  one  year 
when  the  price  was  unusually  high,  the  handsome  sum  of 
$30,000  was  realized. 

The  business  manager  for  the  colony  was 

OLOF    JOHNSON, 

who  in  many  respects  was  well  suited  for  the  responsible 
position.  He  was  a  man  of  more  than  average  ability,  a 
keea  zest  for  business  was  his  natural  bent  of  mind.  Had 
he  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  education  and  a  disciplined 
business  training,  he  would  have  been  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful business  men  of  his  time,  considering  the  financial 
backing  and  commercial  credit  the  colony  gave  him.  He 
was  bold,  self  confident  and  shrewd,  but  too  sanguine. 

Nothing  pleased  him  more  than  to  be  engaged  in  busi- 
ness affairs  on  a  large  scale  and  of  a  speculative  character. 
He  was  open-hearted  and  generous,  and  never  could  do  too 
much  for  a  friend  —  but  he  demanded  of  his  friends  im- 
plicit acquiescence  to  his  wishes,  and  to  acknowledge  his 
superior  judgment. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  born  in  the  Parish  of  Sodesala,  ' 
province  of  Helsingland,  Sweden,  June  30,  1820,  and  was 
amongst  the  first  settlers  at  Bishop  Hill.  He  was  married 
in  1843  to  a  very  estimable  young  woman  of  the  same 
province,  and  they  were  well  adapted  in  their  temperaments 
to  enjoy  life  together. 

The  early  and  rapid  growth  of  Galva  was  in  a  great 
measure  due  to  the  public  enterprise  and  spirit  of  Olof 
Johnson.  As  business  manager  of  the  colony,  under  his 
direction,  were  built  the  first  substantial  business  houses  of 


518  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Galva.  The  buying  and  shipping  of  grain  and  stock  was 
entered  into  on  an  extensive  scale,  as  was  also  pork  pack- 
ing, the  latter  proving  an  unprofitable  venture  from  lack 
of  experience  in  properly  curing  the  pork  and  was  abandoned 
after  the  first  season's  trial.  Galva  became  a  desirable  mar-, 
ket  for  the  surrounding  country.  A  general  merchandise 
store,  lumber  yard  and  bank,  all  under  the  management  of 
Olof  Johnson,  came  in  rapid  succession.  Then  came  the 
era  of  "  Wildcat  Currency/'  The  fertile  mind  of  Johnson 
saw  in  this  a  hopeful  bonanza.  The  "  Western  Exchange 
Bank  "  (Nebraska)  charter  was  purchased.  A  new  issue  of 
bills  were  elaborately  electrotyped,  and  signed  with  the 
Bishop  Hill  Colony  as  backers,  ready  to  be  issued  when 
the  financial  crisis  of  1857  came  and  cruelly  exploded  the 
bubble,  and  the  new  issue  never  made  their  appearance  in 
commercial  circles. 

A  little  before  the  bank  scheme  and  preparatory  to  it 
was  launched  a  grand  railway  project  called  the  "  American 
Central  Railway."  This  was  to  be  a  trunk  line  between 
the  east  and  west.  Olof  Johnson  for  the  Bishop  Hill 
Colony,  took  the  contract  to  grade  that  part  of  the  road 
from  the  Indiana  State  Line  to  the  Mississippi  River  at 
New  Boston,  and  as  part  payment  $1,000,000  in  stock  was 
taken  in  the  railway  project.  Considerable  of  the  grading 
had  been  done  when  the  cruel  crisis  came  and  crushed  out 
this  enterprise.  Both  the  railway  project  and  the  banking 
enterprise  was  no  doubt  entered  into  with  the  best  of  inten- 
tions and  the  brightest  hopes  of  a  brilliant  success,  and  had 
the  times  proved  propitious,  would,  without  doubt,  made 
the  colony  immensely  rich.  As  it  unfortunately  turned 
out,  considerable  loss  followed,  but  not  to  the  extent  to 
ruinously  embarrass  the  colony. 


BISHOP    HILL   COLONY.  519 

During  these  years,  from  the  time  of  the  opening  of  the 
Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  Railroad,  while  we  were 
in  business  in  Chicago,  we  had  business  relations  with  Mr. 
Johnson,  and  we  outline  his  character  by  what  is  written  as 
it  was  unfolded  to  us  in  our  transactions  for  a  term  of 
years.  His  banking  operations  he  thought  perfectly  legiti- 
mate at  the  time,  as  did  a  great  many  other  bankers  in 
Chicago  and  elsewhere.  We  sold  a  great  deal  of  the  broom 
corn  raised  by  the  colony,  consigned  to  the  Chicago  market, 
also  the  flour  made  at  "  Bishop  Hill  Mills/'  corn  and  other 
produce.  His  gigantic  railroad  operations  were  thought  to 
be  a  great  benefit  to  the  country,  and  he  was  thought  to  be 
a  public  benefactor  in  the  prosperous  days  of  his  enter- 
prises, but  when  the  financial  "cyclone"  of  1857  came  and 
these  enterprises  were  forced  to  cease  operations,  there  were 
those  that  impugned  his  integrity,  but  without  cause.  He 
was  not  "a  cool,  calculating  and  evil  disposed  person,"  as 
some  charged  on  him  when  overtaken  by  financial  misfor- 
tune. Although  the  colony  lost  money  in  the  crash,  it  was 
only  a  shrinkage  of  values.  Mr,  Johnson  surrendered  his 
trust  to  them,  leaving  the  property  unincumbered  and  in 
good  shape  to  be  divided  to  each  individual  member.. 

In  1860,  community  life,  after  a  fourteen  years'  exist- 
ence, having  served  its  purpose,  outlived  its  usefulness  and 
no  longer  a  necessity,  the  colony  was  individualized,  and 
its  real  and  personal  property  equally  and  equitably  divided 
among  its  members ;  and  now  that  portion  of  Henry  county, 
that  for  years  was  known  as  the  Swede  settlement, "  Bishop 
Hill  Colony,"  is  one  of  tht  most  flourishing  portions  of  our 
grand  state.  The  substantial  and  elegant  farm  houses,  large, 
spacious  and  costly  barns  that  mark  the  former  domain  of 
the  discouraged  and  persecuted  colonists,  that  embraced 


520  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

twelve  thousand  acres,  denotes  financial  thrift,  solidity  and 
business  success  that  always  follow  in  the  train  of  persever- 
ing industry  and  frugality.  The  village  —  city,  it  ought  to 
be  —  of  Bishop  Hill,  is  one  of  the  most  beautifully  located 
and  attractive  in  Northwestern  Illinois.  The  old,  substan- 
tial brick  buildings  of  "ye  old  colonial  times,"  give  the 
place  an  appearance  quite  different  from  that  of  any  other 
town.  With  the  exception  of  three  or  four  families  the 
entire  population  are  Swedish  and  their  descendants.  The 
Swedes  were  intensely  loyal  in  the  rebellion,  furnishing,  in 
all  the  calls  for  volunteers,  their  full  proportion  of  men  for 
the  suppression  of  the  great  rebellion. 

We  have,  in  the  commencement  of  this  chapter,  noted 
the  small  number  of  this  nationality  residing  in  the  state  in 
1846.  Now,  from  the  most  reliable  authority,  it  is  placed 
at  100,000,  including  their  descendants. 

Olof  Johnson,  to  whom  a  large  part  of  this  chapter  has 
been  devoted  as  the  then  representative  of  the  interests  of 
the  colony,  died  at  Galva,  Illinois,  July  18,  1870.  His 
widow  survives  him,  as  does  also  three  daughters.  He  left 
his  family  in  moderately  comfortable  circumstances,  and 
they  reside  in  the  elegant  family  residence  at  Galva.  One 
of  his  daughters  married  Peter  Larson,  Esq.,  of  Galva,  one 
of  the  successful  merchants  of  that  place. 


NEHEMIAH  WEST. 

ONE  OF   THE  PIONEER  FOUNDERS   OF   GALESBURG. 

In  September,  1839,  just  after  we  attained  our  majority, 
•"a-foot  and  alone,"  land-excursion  fever  seized  us,  and  we 
organized  the  strength  of  our  forces  and  started  on  foot 
across  the  prairies  and  groves  of  Illinois-,  our  objective  point 
being  Iowa,  to  view  the  native  grandeur  of  that  new  terri- 
tory just  opened  up  to  settlement.  We  struck  due  west  to 
Burlington,  crossing  the  Mississippi  at  that  point.  In  pass- 
ing west  our  route  led  past  the  newly  laid  out  city  of  Gales- 
burg,  which  had  only  been  located  two  or  three  years  before, 
and  the  improvements  were  of  the  most  primitive  kind. 
We  viewed  "  this  city  of  the  plains  "  in  embryo,  and  passed 
on.  We  present  a  sketch  of  the  earliest  pioneer  of  the 
place,  the  man  who  bought  the  land  on  which  the  city  now 
stands,  as  one  of  the  locating  committee  appointed  for  that 
purpose. 

Nehemiah  West  was  born  in  New  York,  Aug.  26,  1800, 
and  there  spent  the  first  thirty-six  years  of  his  life.  In 
1824  he  was  married  to  Catharine  Neely,  daughter  of  Capt. 
Abram  Neely,  who  served  his  country  during  the  entire 
Revolutionary  War.  For  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century 
she  was  his  loving  helper  in  all  his  labors,  for  his  family, 
for  humanity,  and  for  God,  and  survived  him  more  than 
thirty  years  to  train  up  the  children  he  left  to  her  care. 
She  lived  to  see  all  of  them  who  survived  her  grow  to 
Christian  manhood  and  womanhood,  each  filling  an  office  of 


522  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

trust  to  which  elected  by  the  votes  of  their  fellow-citizens, 
then  died,  full  of  years  and  honor,  March  31,  1880. 

In  1835,  when  the  plan  of  founding  a  Christian  college 
in  the  West  took  possession  of  the  brain  of  Rev.  G.  W. 
Gale,  of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  Mr.  West  was  one  chosen  to  make 
this  idea  a  fact.  He,  with  two  others,  were  commissioned 
to  go  West,  explore  the  country,  and  fix  upon  a  site  for  the 
proposed  colony.  They  went,  carefully  examining  the 
country  from  Cincinnati  to  Chicago,  thence  to  St.  Louis, 
and  chose  a  location  in  Knox  County,  111.,  just  on  the 
divide  between  the  Mississippi  and  Illinois  rivers.  Their 
report  was  accepted,  and  Mr.  West,  with  three  others,  were 
sent  back  in  the  fall  to  purchase,  if  possible,  a  township  of 
land  on  the  site.  The  purchase  was  made  embracing  20,000 
acres,  and  preparations  made  for  removing  thither  in  the 
spring.  In  May,  1836,  Mr.  West  with  his  family,  including 
his  brother,  John  G.  West,  and  Abram  Tyler,  his  brother- 
in-law,  Mr.  Hugh  Conger,  with  his  family,  and  Mr.  Barber 
Allen,  twenty-two  persons  in  all,  started  from  New  York 
for  Illinois  with  their  own  teams,  arriving  at  their  promised 
land  June  2,  1836.  The  terminus  of*  their  journey  was 
Log  City,  five  miles  from  the  present  site  of  Galesburg. 
It  then  consisted  of  one  log  cabin  purchased  by  Mr.  West 
the  fall  previous.  Other  cabins  soon  sprang  up  around  it 
as  other  colonists  came  to  fill  them. 

From  this  centre  went  out  the  grand  influences  and 
workers  that  made  Knox  College  and  Galesburg  what  it 
was  and  is.  These  were  men  of  faith  and  prayer,  as  well 
as  work.  They  laid  the  foundations  deep  and  broad,  and  on 
them  builded  better  than  they  knew.  The  plan  of  the  col- 
lege had  been  made  in  New  York,  and  its  board  of  trustees 
elected,  of  whom  Mr.  West  was  one.  The  city  that  was  to 
be,  was  platted  and  lots  set  apart  in  it  for  the  college,  semi- 
nary, church,  public  school  and  cemetery. 

It  remained  for  our  Log  City  friends  to  carry  these 
plans  into  execution,  and  transform  this  city  on  paper  to  a 
village  upon  land.  Houses  were  built  "  out  on  the  prairie," 
as  Galesburg  was  then  called,  farms  fenced,  winter  wheat 
sown,  and  by  spring  many  families  moved  out  there. 


NEMEMIAH    WEST.  523 


This  winter  was  a  season  of  beginnings  in  Log  City,  in 
all  of  which  Mr.  West  was  active.  Here,  in  a  log  cabin, 
was  started  the  school  destined  to  grow  into  Knox  College; 
here  also  the  old  First  Church  had  its  birth,  and  Mr.  West 
was  elected  one  of  its  ruling  elders,  an  office  he  held  till  his 
death.  Here  was  organized  an  anti-slavery  society,  the 
first,  we  believe,  in  the  state,  and  here  temperance  was  dis- 
cussed in  such  a  practical  way  that  admission  to  the  old 
First  Church  meant  a  total  abstinence  pledge,  and  a  clause 
was  inserted  in  all  the  deeds  given  by  Knox  College  for 
ever  prohibiting  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  alcoholic 
liquor  on  any  land  bought  from  it.  As  the  title  to  all  the 
colony  lands  was  vested  in  Knox  College,  this  made  Gales- 
burg  a  prohibition  town  for  the  first  twenty  years  of  its 
existence,  and  would  clean  liquor  out  of  it  to-day  if  the 
sons  had  half  the  back  bone  of  their  fathers. 

Early  the  next  spring  Mr.  West  and  Mr.  James  Knox 
were  sent  to  Vandalia,  then  the  state  capital,  to  secure  a 
charter  for  Knox  College.  This  being  secured  the  Board 
of  Trustees  was  organized,  Mr.  West  being  retained  on  it 
and  made  one  of  its  executive  committee.  He  performed 
the  arduous  duties  connected  with  this  office  until  his  death, 
February  17,  1847.  To  his  wise  forethought  and  conse- 
crated common  sense  Galesburg  and  Kuox  College  owe 
much  of  their  success.  For  common  sense  was  the  pre- 
dominant characteristic  of  Nehemiah  West,  and  early  in 
life  it  was  consecrated,  with  all  his  powers,  to  the  cause  of 
God  and  humanity.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  convictions 
and  moral  back  bone.  He  was  a  staunch  temperance  man 
before  the  days  of  the  Washingtonians,  and  braved  and 
bore  the  ridicule  of  his  neighbors  by  having  a  barn  raising 
without  whisky,  a  thing  before  unheard  of. 

He  was  an  Old  Line  Abolitionist  when  that  was  a  term 
of  reproach,  not  a  title  of  honor  as  it  is  now.  His  home 
was  a  station  on  the  Underground  Railroad  and  he  was  one 
of  its  most  efficient  conductors.  Many  a  load  of  frightened 
fugitives  did  he  carry  to  the  next  station,  the  home  of 
Owen  Lovejoy,  in  Princeton.  The  fall  before  he  died  he 


524  FIFTY    YEARS7  RECOLLECTIONS. 

was  the  anti-slavery  candidate  for  the  legislature,  and  then 
the  acceptance  of  such  a  nomination  meant  ostracism  and 
mob  violence.  He  was  secretary  of  the  first  anti-slavery 
convention  known  in  this  part  of  the  state,  held  in  an 
"  upper  chamber"  over  Curtenius  &  Griswold's  store,  in 
Peoria,  while  a  pro-slavery  mob  raged  through  the  streets. 
The  house  in  which  Mr.  West  and  others  of  that  Spartan 
band  spent  that  night  was  attacked  by  the  mob  and  his 
brother-in-law,  Rev.  Levi  Spencer,  seriously  injured.  Mr. 
West's  little  daughter,  who  witnessed  these  exciting  scenes 
with  her  father,  lived  to  see  the  leader  of  this  mob,  who 
then  stood  over  her  with  a  club,  the  captain  of  a  "  Wide 
Awake"  company  which  paraded  the  streets  of  Galesburg 
in  honor  of  Abraham  Lincoln. 

Thus  we  see  Mr.  West  was  identified  with  the  grand 
movements  which  so  largely  shaped  the  history  of  Illinois 
in  its  early  days.  He  battled  bravely  "  for  free  speech,  free 
labor  and  free  men."  Freedom  of  the  press  was  equally 
dear  to  him,  and  he  was  one  of  the  supporters  of  the  National 
Era,  that  first  anti-slavery  paper  that  dared  live  in  the 
United  States.  During  all  its  terrible  struggle  for  life  in 
Cincinnati  he  daily  prayed  for  it  as  he  knelt  at  the  family 
altar,  and  on  the  very  day  of  his  death  his  dimming  eyes 
unclosed  and  lighted  up  with  much  of  their  wonted  fire 
when  its  first  number,  issued  at  Washington,  was  laid  upon 
his  bed.  How  he  loved  education  and  religion  Knox  Col- 
lege and  the  old  First  Church  of  Galesburg  testify.  What 
he  was  to  his  family  only  God  and  his  loved  ones  know. 

"He  stood  four  square  to  every  wind  that  blew." 


REV.  JOHN  M.  FARIS. 


HIS  MINISTERIAL  WORK  AND  LABORS. 

It  is  not  the  intention  of  this  work  to  unduly  eulogize 
personal  efforts  in  advancing  Christianity  and  morality,  but 
to  truthfully  outline  the  faithful  performance  of  duty  as- 
sumed as  a  life-work  when  young  in  years,  but  having  a 
perfect  understanding  of  the  responsibilities  assumed. 

John  M.  Faris  was  born  in  Ohio  county,  Virginia,  May 
23,  1818,  and  spent  childhood  and  early  youth  at  home 
with  his  parents,  working  on  the  farm  and  attending  the 
country  schools.  He  made  such  progress  hi  the  primary 
branches  that  at  sixteen  he  entered  the  sophomore  class  of 
Washington  College,  Penn.,  and  graduated  with  a  share  of 
first  honors  in  1837,  when  nineteen  years  of  age.  In  No- 
vember of  the  same  year  he  entered  the  Theological  .Semi- 
nary at  Alleghany,  Penn.,  and  graduated  in  September, 
1840.  Soon  after  graduating  he  married  Miss  Ann  E. 
Wallace,  of  Alleghany,  and  settled  down  to  his  life-work 
as  a  minister  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-two.  He  wa& 
called  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at 
Barlow,  Ohio,  in  May,  1841,  ministered  to  them  until  No^ 
vember,  1844,  when  he  received  a  call  to  Fredericktown, 
Ohio,  where  he  labored  successfully  for  eleven  years,  build- 
ing up  and  strengthening  the  church  greatly. 

From  here  the  educational  interest  of  the  church  re- 
quired his  services,  and  he  accepted  the  Financial  Agency 
for  the  Theological  College  of  the  Synod  of  Wheeling,  to 
which  he  gave  two  years  of  hard  and  successful  ^service. 


526  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

This  completed  his  seventeenth  year  in  the  ministry. 
Closing  his  engagement  with  the  Wheeling  Synod  he  came 
to  Illinois,  and  was  called  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Rockford,  January  1,  1858.  He  made  his  labors  very 
acceptable  to  this  church  for  five  years,  when  the  educa- 
tional interests  of  his  church  again  required  the  genius  of 
his  great  financial  skill,  January  1,  1863,  he  was  called  to 
the  aid  of  the  Presbyterian  Female  Seminary  at  Chicago. 
It  was  while  engaged  industriously  on  this  charge  that  the 
author's  acquaintance  commenced.  He  is  possessed  of 
that  frank,  candid  and  openness  of  manner  that  commends 
man  to  his  fellowmen,  and  which  so  well  fits  him  for  raising 
funds  for  educational  work,  and  his  three  years'  labors 
were  blessed  with  success  that  placed  the  institution  on  a 
permanent  financial  basis.  In  November,  1866,  he  re- 
moved to  Union  County,  Illinois,  purchasing  a  fruit  farm 
some  four  miles  from  the  city  of  Anna,  where  his  family 
have  since  resided. 

In  the  spring  of  1869  he  again  entered  the  service  of 
the  church,  devoting  his  talents  and  energy  to  her  financial 
interests,  dividing  his  time  between  the  Presbyterian  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Chicago  and  the  Westminster  College, 
Missouri.  The  secret  of  Mr.  Faris'  great  success,  and  the 
demand  for  his  services,  is  his  great  plainness,  his  frank  and 
open  social  qualities  and  his  prompt  business  ways.  He  is 
still  in  the  gospel  harness,  and  when  we  were  spending  a 
half  week  in  the  interest  of  our  work,  gathering  together 
the  links  of  our  remembrance,  weaving  the  web  of  this 
history,  we  met  him,  just  returned  from  one  of  his  monthly 
trips.  He  is  now  in  the  forty-third  year  of  his  ministry 
and  bids  fair  to  reach  his  semi-centennial.  His  vigor  in 
the  work  is  not  the  least  abated,  and  no  flagging  in  his  zeal. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


ELECTION  OF  1858. 


Great  Excitement  —  Great  Triumph— First  Editorial  proposing 
Abraham  Lincoln  as  a  Candidate  for  President. 

IT  is  probable  that  there  never  was  a  more  exciting 
election  held  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  or  probably  in  the 
United  States,  than  the  November  election  of  1858.  I 
believe  every  voter  still  living  has  yet  a  vivid  recollection 
of  the  intense  patriotic  enthusiasm  and  excitement  of  that 
day.  The  day  was  foggy,  misty  and  lowering,  but  it  did 
not  rain  much.  This  forbidding  state  of  the  atmosphere 
made  no  difference  with  the  people.  They  were  abroad 
early,  intent  on  voting  themselves,  and  then  to  see  to  it 
that  no  other  voter,  who  would  vote  "right,"  should  neg- 
lect the  glorious  privilege.  It  was  even  said  that  some 
voters  carried  out  the  injunction  "to  vote  early  and  often," 
but  of  this  I  will  not  affirm.  There  was  "  a  hurrying  to 
and  fro,"  and  every  voter  was  sought  out  and  urged  to  go 
to  the  polls.  The  sick,  the  halt,  lame  and  blind,  swelled 
the  long  lines  of  voters  at  the  place  of  voting.  They  were 
sought  out,  made  comfortable  by  wrappings  and  coverings, 
placed  in  carriages  and  vehicles,  and  kind  arms  supported 
them  to  and  from  the  place  of  voting. 

What  caused  this  great  commotion  the  country  through  ? 


528  FIFTY    YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

the  voters  of  to-day  will  inquire.  The  reply  is,  it  was  patri- 
otism ;  principles  as  high  and  holy  and  lofty  as  ever 
actuated  and  moved  the  human  heart.  It  was  as  pure, 
noble,  and  self-sacrificing  as  moved  many  of  the  same 
voters  to  go  to  the  battle  field  in  1862,  and  for  four  years 
following.  Freedom  was  at  stake  in  our  territories,  and 
that  was  the  turning  point.  Men  represented  principle,  and 
in  our  own  glorious  state  Lincoln  led  on  our  conquering 
legions. 

"  They  rallied  from  the  hillside, 
Gathered  from  the  plain, 

Shouting  the  battle-cry  of  Freedom," 

and  that  day  Illinois  was  redeemed  and  still  maintains  her 
proud  position. 

With  pride  I  can  call  to  mind  the  humble  part  borne  by 
myself  in  that  great  contest,  and  the  exultation  I  felt  when 
it  was  known  that  Illinois,  by  her  popular  vote,  in  the 
most  closely  contested  election  ever  held  within  her  borders, 
had  elected  the  Republican  state  ticket.  It  was  as  good  as 
a  revelation  from  the  Divinity  that  freedom  was  from 
henceforth  safe,  and  slavery  and  oppression  must  recede  in 
darkness.  With  many  others  I  felt  exultant.  Though 
Lincoln  could  not  go  to  the  senate,  I  felt  that  there  was 
yet  future  triumph!  for  him  <m  another  field  —  and  that 
field  the  Nation. 

I  felt  prophetic;  the  possibilities  of  the  near  future 
loomed  up  and  flashed  on  me,  when  I  took  my  pen  to  write 
the  result. 

I  had  no  plan,  no  form  of  set  phrases  of  speech  in  which 
to  announce  the  result.  The  Gazette  was  just  waiting  to  go 
to  press ;  only  lacked  the  announcement  of  the  result  of 
election.  I  wrote  hastily ;  it  seemed  to  me  carelessly,  and 


THE    ELECTION    OF    1858.  529 

when  completed,  ready  for  the  compositor,  it  ran,  exactly 
without  change  since,  as  found  below,  the  first  editorial 
ever  proposing  that  Abraham  Lincoln  should  be  nominated 
as  the  Republican  candidate  for  the  Presidency  for  the  can- 
vass of  1860 : 

ABRAHAM    LINCOLN    FOE   PRESIDENT    IN    1860. 

The  contest  just  closed,  and  the  glorious  result  of  yes- 
terday's election,  showing  by  the  popular  vote  that  Illinois 
is  redeemed  from  Democratic  domination  by  the  election  of 
the  entire  Republican  state  ticket,  although  the  Legislature 
will  be  Democratic  by  reason  of  the  unfair  apportionment 
of  the  state  in  the  Senatorial  and  Representative  districts 
by  a  former  Democratic  Legislature,  in  gerrymandering  the 
state,  so  that  the  counties  where  large  Republican  majorities 
prevail  are  massed  together,  while  counties  where  there 
are  but  small  Republican  majorities  are  swallowed  up  by 
attaching  them  to  counties  that  are  largely  Democratic, 
thus  insuring  the  election  of  Democrats  to  the  Legislature 
and  thwarting  the  will  of  the  people,  by  securing  the  re- 
election to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  of  Stephen  A. 
Douglas  to  misrepresent  them  for  six  years  more  from  the 
4th  of  March  next,  instead  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  the  orator 
and  statesman,  whom  the  popular  voice  has  declared  should 
be  entitled  to  that  high  office. 

To  him,  the  Republican  standard-bearer,  their  chosen 
leader  in  the  brilliant  and  glorious  contest  just  closed,  we 
are  indebted  for  this  glorious  result. 

The  masterly  manner  in  which  he  conducted  the  canvass, 
both  in  the  joint  discussions  with  Douglas,  and  his  grand 
speeches  made  to  the  people  in  all  parts  of  the  state,  has 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  whole  country  and  the  world 
to  the  man  that  gave  utterance  to  the  sublimest  truths  yet 
enunciated,  as  principles  now  adopted  as  the  future  plat- 
form of  the  Republican  party,  and  marks  him  as  the 
leading  statesman  of  the  age,  possessing  the  confidence  of 
the  people  in  his  inflexible  honesty,  and  his  fitness  to  lead 


530  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 


the  people  in  yet  other  contests,  in  which  the  field  will  be 
the  nation,  and  his  leadership  to  conduct  the  hosts  of  free- 
dom to  victory  in  1860.  What  man  now  fills  the  full 
measure  of  public  expectation  as  the  statesman  of  to-day 
and  of  the  near  future,  as  does  Abraham  Lincoln?  And 
in  writing  our  own  preference  for  him,  we  believe  we  but 
express  the  wish  of  a  large  majority  of  the  people  that  he 
should  be  the  standard-bearer  of  the  Republican  party  for 
the  presidency  in  1860. 

We  know  there  are  other  great  names  that  will  be  pre- 
sented for  this  great  honor — names  that  have  a  proud  prom- 
inence before  the  American  people — but  in  statesmanship 
Lincoln  is  the  peer  of  the  greatest  of  them. 

There  are  McLean,  Seward,  Chase,  Bates,  Cameron,  and 
possibly  others  who  will  be  presented  before  the  convention 
meets,  and  their  friends  will  urge  their  claims  with  all  the 
pertinacity  that  devoted  friendship  and  political  interests 
may  dictate,  and  their  claims  as  available  candidates  will  be 
fully  canvassed.  And  possibly  they  possess  all  these  in  an 
eminent  degree ;  but  Abraham  Lincoln  more  so,  both  as  to 
eminent  statesmanship  and  also  availability. 

The  friends  of  all  the  statesmen  named,  if  they  fail  in 
securing  their  choice,  would  rally  on  Lincoln  as  their  next 
choice,  thus  showing  his  acceptability  to  all. 

In  the  next  campaign  of  1860  the  issues  are  already 
sharply  defined.  These  will  be,  as  they  have  been  in  our 
state  canvass,  slavery  and  slavery  extension  on  the  one 
hand,  and  freedom  and  free  territory  on  the  other. 

Douglas  will  lead  the  cohorts  of  slavery.  Lincoln 
should  lead  the  hosts  of  freedom  in  this  "  irrepressible 
conflict."  Who  has  earned  the  proud  position  as  well  as 
he?  as  he  is  in  himself  the  embodiment  and  exponent  of 
our  free  institutions.  These  two  men  have  fought  the 
battles  over  the  plains  of  Illinois.  What  so. proper  as 
their  being  the  champions  of  the  two  principles  on  the 
national  field? — Illinois  Gazette,  Nov.  ,£,  1858. 


CADET  TAYLOR. 


EX-PRESIDENT   ILLINOIS  PRESS  ASSOCIATION,  AND    CHIEF  CLERK 
IN  GOVERNMENT   PRINTING  OFFICE. 


Almost  every  sketch  we  have  given  in  our  "  Recollec- 
tions "  has  marked  the  career  of  a  self-made  man.  The 
brief  one  given  below  is  no  exception  to  the  rule.  It  shows 
patient  toil,  constant  work,  an  a  upward  and  onward  "  de- 
termination to  succeed. 

Cadet  Taylor  was  born  near  Magnolia,  Putnam  county, 
Illinois,  September  30,  1848.  His  father  was  a  farmer,  and 
his  sons  were  inured  to  the  hard  toil  of  a  farm  life. 

In  1855  his  father  moved  to  Wenona,  and  Cadet  at- 
tended the  public  schools,  and  when  sufficiently  advanced 
was  sent  to  Dover  University  and  State  Normal.  Between 
the  times  of  his  terms  of  attending  school  he  was  obliged 
to  earn  the  money  to  pay  the  expenses  of  his  course.  He 
drove  team  from  the  Vermilion  coal  fields,  a  hard  and  la- 
borious work.  He  done  this  when  only  from  twelve  to 
fourteen  years  old.  When  advanced  older  he  went  into 
business  for  himself  in  a  small  way,  and  in  1866-67  began 
his  experience  as  a  printer  in  the  Wenona  Index  office,  then 
owned  by  Capt.  Wm.  Parker,  who  was  also  postmaster,  and 
young  Taylor  become  his  assistant.  In  1868  he  became  a 
partner  in  the  publishing  of  the  paper,  and  in  1870  pur- 
chased the  office,  and  assuming  the  editorial  control  of  the 
paper  when  only  twenty-two  years  old,  began  to  carve 


532  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

out  his  own  successful  career  in  the  newspaper  world.  His 
work  has  borne  some  fruit. 

In  1871  he  was  appointed  postmaster  at  Wenona  by 
President  Grant,  and  held  the  office  through  all  the  succeed- 
ing administrations  until  he  resigned  the  office  in  1882  to 
accept  the  office  of  chief  clerk  in  the  Government  Printing 
Office,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  tendered  him  by  Hon.  S.  P. 
Rounds,  the  superintendent  of  public  printing,  whose  career 
and  success  is  chronicled  in  other  pages  of  this  work. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  secretary  of  the  Illinois  Press  Associa- 
tion for  three  terms,  and  then  elected  president  for  two 
terms,  in  all  five  years  service  that  he  was  honored  with  this 
mark  of  their  highest  regard  and  esteem.  He  is  devoted  to 
his  profession,  proud  of  the  fact  that  there  is  such  a  grand 
organization  of  men  as  the  Illinois  Press  Association.  He 
has  been  a  hard  toiler,  has  earned  all  his  honors  by  persist- 
ent effort,  and  held  them  by  deserving  and  manly  effort  to 
serve  the  public. 

His  appointment  to  his  present  high  position  was  un- 
sought. It  was  a  call  to  "  come  up  higher,"  which  he  ac- 
cepted. He  is  now  in  his  thirty-fifth  year,  in  the  full  vigor 
of  manhood,  bidding  fair  for  as  many  more  years  of  active 
life. 


CAPT.  JOSEPH  E.  OSBORN. 


EDITOR   AND    PUBLISHER. 


Among  the  "  Young  America  "  push  and  pluck  citizens 
of  Swedish  birth  of  our  state  the  author  has  found  none 
more  determined  to  make  name  and  fame  among  the  people 
than  the  subject  of  the  present  sketch. 

Joseph  E.  Osborn  was  born  in  Gefle,  Sweden,  July  12, 
1843,  and  came  to  this  country  with  his  father's  family  in 
1849.  He  was  fortunate  in  his  educational  aspirations,  hav- 
ing received  collegiate  training  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  and 
Springfield,  Illinois.  His  father  was  the  first  Swedish 
Lutheran  minister  to  emigrate  to  America,  and  was  the 
founder  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Augustana  Synod,  and 
the  Augustana  College  at  Rock  Island,  one  of  the  flourish- 
ing educational  institutions  sustained  by  the  Swedish 
nationality  in  Illinois. 

Young  Osborn,  when  only  eighteen  years  old,  enlisted 
in  Battery  "G"  Second  Illinois  Light  Artillery,  in  Au- 
gust, 1861.  Reserved  during  the  whole  war;  served  on 
General  Ord's  staff  as  commandant  of  the  United  States 
Ordnance  Depot  at  Columbus,  Ky.,  for  eight  months,  was 
transferred  to  Company  G,  United  States  Heavy  Artillery, 
colored,  as  second  lieutenant,  and  kept  in  the  service  for 
one  year  after  the  war  closed. 

Captain  Osborn  learned  the  printing  business  in  his 
youth,  is  now  publisher  and  editor  of  The  Citizen,  Molinc, 


534 

Illinois,  and  is  a  very  efficient  worker  in  all  that  will  ad- 
vance the  prosperity  of  the  country.  His  paper,  The  Oiti- 
zen,  gives  out  no  uncertain  sound  on  any  of  the  great  re- 
formatory questions  of  the  day,  whether  moral  or  political. 
He  is  a  staunch  republican,  as  are  almost  all  his  nation- 
ality. He  is  a  fluent  speaker,  giving  his  aid  to  sustaining 
his  principles  on  the  rostrum  in  all  the  political  campaigns. 
Educational  matters  connected  with  the  success  of  Au- 
gustana  College  at  Rock  Island  and  Moline,  receives  much 
attention,  both  personal  and  editorial,  and  the  institution  is 
in  the  most  flourishing  condition. 


MRS,  LUCINDA  HARRISON. 

APIARIST   AND  AUTHOR  ON  BEE  CULTURE. 

The  lady  whose  name  stands  prominent  among  the  suc- 
sessful  bee  culturists  of  the  present  time,  is  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  in  1831,  and  came  to  Illinois  with  her  parents, 
Alpheus  Richardson  and  his  wife,  when  a  child,  they  being 
among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Peoria  county.  Her  early 
advantages  for  an  education  were  limited.  She  received  a 
few  month's  tuition  at  a  private  school.  This  gave  her  all 
the  scholastic  training  she  received,  but  she  was  a  close 
student,  and  commenced  teaching  as  a  means  of  livelihood 
and  self  culture.  While  busily  engaged  in  teaching  she 
made  the  acquaintance  of  a  prosperous  young  farmer,  Robt. 
Dodds,  of  Woodford  county,  and  their  minds  and  disposi- 
tions running  in  the  same  channel,  they  were  married,  and  our 
successful  school  teacher  was  transferred  to  the  home  duties 
of  a  farmer's  wife  with  all  their  laborious  cares  and  responsi- 
bilities. Her  labors  were  varied  by  the  cultivation  of  small 
frnits,  as  the  state  of  her  health  made  it  necessary  for  her  to 
have  outdoor  occupation,  air  and  sunshine. 

With  the  cultivation  of  small  fruit  she  added  bee  cul- 
ture, and  in  this  she  has  been  eminently  successful.  She 
commenced  her  press  contributions  to  Colman's  Rural 
World,  St.  Louis,  and  to  the  Gennantown  Telegraph,  at  first 
in  the  pomological,  horticultural  and  house-keeping  depart- 
ments of  those  papers. 


536  FIFTY  YEARS'  RECOLLECTIONS. 

But  it  is  as  a  writer  on  bee  culture  that  she  has  gained 
a  national  reputation.  Her  contributions  to  Gleanings  in 
Bee  Culture,  and  the  American  Bee  Journal,  have  elicited 
high  commendation  from  apiarists  from  all  over  the  United 
States.  She  also  contributes  instructive  papers  and  descrip- 
tive articles  on  the  practical  operations  of  conducting  the 
apiary  to  the  columns  of  the  Prairie  Farmer,  and  for  several 
years  past  has  had  charge  of  the  apiary  department  of  that 
paper.  This,  combined  with  her  eminent  success  in  the 
practical  management  of  the  apiary,  has  given  her  a  reputa- 
tion, and  made  her  an  authority  on  the  management  of  bees 
that  is  second  to  none  in  the  country. 

Her  first  husband  dying,  after  engaging  several  years  in 
happy  farm  life,  in  1866  she  was  again  married  to  Lovell 
Harrison,  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Peoria. 

Mrs.  Harrison  combines  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
natural  history  and  habits  of  the  honey  bee,  combining 
familiarity  with  the  minutest  details  in  the  management  of 
the  apiary,  which  has  placed  her  in  the  front  rank  among 
lady  bee  keepers  of  our  land.  She  is  a  member  of  the 
North  American  Bee  Keeper's  Association,  and  at  the 
annual  meeting  of  that  organization  held  at  Lexington, 
Kentucky,  in  October,  1881,  was  elected  vice-president  for 
the  State  of  Illinois. 

Her  apiary  at  present  consists  of  over  one  hundred  col- 
onies of  Italian  bees,  and  is  considered  one  among  the  best 
managed  in  the  state. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLWOIS-URBANA 


